Whitewater Enthusiasts Rejoice! Bucks County’s Tohickon Creek to Get Whitewater Releases

Whitewater© ranplett / Getty Images Signature / Canva

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — It’s time to get excited – whitewater boating enthusiasts rejoice! Just in time for the spring season, Bucks County’s Tohickon Creek will be free-flowing on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 – 19, thanks to annual water releases from Lake Nockamixon by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Boaters will have an amazing opportunity to paddle until their hearts’ content while they take in the stunning beauty of Ralph Stover State Park from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. The semi-annual event is a sure way for outdoor fanatics to renew their love for nature and adventure all at once. Who knows? Maybe a few lucky ones will spot some breathtaking wildlife along the way! So, if you’re looking for some fun in the sun this weekend, grab your gear and hit up Tohickon Creek.

Releases are historically scheduled on a semi-annual basis, usually occurring on the third weekend in March and the first weekend in November.

The water releases are set to begin at 4:00 AM. Several hours later, the release consisting of millions of gallons of water moving down the waterway will create whitewater conditions at Ralph Stover State Park. Suggested hours for viewing the release and boating activity are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Ralph Stover.

Water releases are eagerly awaited by whitewater paddling enthusiasts, drawing skilled kayakers, canoeists and occasional rafters from throughout the Northeastern United States. Most launch their craft at Ralph Stover State Park, near Pipersville, Bucks County, and travel some four miles along the Tohickon Creek to its junction with the Delaware River at Point Pleasant.

READ:  EARTHRES Appoints Industry Veteran Dean Ritts as Director of Environmental Engineering

DCNR officials remind boaters that this is technical whitewater with Class 3 and 4 rapids that require experienced boating skills. Boaters should be aware of and abide by the safety code of the American Whitewater Affiliation. Boaters must wear appropriate personal flotation devices, take appropriate precautions to prevent hypothermia, and use only craft designed for this type of water.

For more information, contact Nockamixon State Park at 215-529-7300 or Delaware Canal State Park at 610-982-5560.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks visit DCNR’s website.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.