West Branch Delaware River

West Branch
River
Country	USA
State	New York
Region	Catskills
County	Schoharie, Delaware
Towns	Stamford, Delhi, Hancock, Deposit
Part of	Delaware River
Landmark	Cannonsville Reservoir
Source	Unnamed pond
- location	North of Mount Jefferson
- coordinates	42°27′13″N 74°36′25″W / 42.45361°N 74.60694°W
Mouth	Confluence with East Branch
- location	Hancock
- elevation	880 ft (268 m)
- coordinates	41°56′20″N 75°16′46″W / 41.93889°N 75.27944°WCoordinates: 41°56′20″N 75°16′46″W / 41.93889°N 75.27944°W
Length	90 mi (145 km)

The West Branch Delaware River, approximately 90 mi (144 km) long in the U.S. states of New York and Pennsylvania, is one of the two branches, along with the East Branch, that join to form the Delaware River. Along most of its course, it flows through a mountainous area of New York in the western Catskill Mountains.

Course

It rises in Schoharie County, New York and flows generally southwest, entering Delaware County and flowing past Stamford and Delhi. In southwestern Delaware County it flows in an increasingly winding course through the mountains, generally southwest. At Stilesville it is impounded to form the Cannonsville Reservoir. At Deposit, on the border between Broome and Delaware counties, it turns sharply to the southeast and is paralleled by New York State Route 17. It joins the East Branch at Hancock to form the Delaware. For the lower 6 mi (10 km) it forms part of the boundary between New York and Pennsylvania.

Fishing

The river below the Cannonsville Dam in Deposit, NY is considered one of the best fly fishing trout streams in the United States, due to the cold water released from the reservoir.^[1] The trout population in this river is naturally reproducing, but during the warm months stocked trout from smaller and warmer tributaries will seek sanctuary in its cool water.

See also

• List of rivers of New York
• List of rivers of Pennsylvania

References

1. Miri, Larry (Jun 13, 2000). "Fly Fishing The West Branch Of The Delaware River In New York And Pennsylvania". The Flyfishing Connection. Retrieved 25 March 2012.