UPPER BLACK EDDY, PA — Whitewater boating conditions will return to Tohickon Creek later this month as state officials prepare to release water from Lake Nockamixon during a scheduled event that attracts paddlers from across the Northeast.
What This Means for You
- Water releases from Lake Nockamixon will occur Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22.
- Whitewater boating conditions will be created along Tohickon Creek in Bucks County.
- Officials expect increased crowds at Ralph Stover State Park during the event.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that water will be released from the Nockamixon State Park dam beginning at 4:00 AM each day.
The controlled release will send millions of gallons of water down Tohickon Creek, creating whitewater conditions suitable for experienced paddlers between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Most boating activity is expected downstream through Ralph Stover State Park.
Popular Event for Whitewater Enthusiasts
The water releases are typically scheduled twice each year, most often on the third weekend in March and the first weekend in November.
The events draw experienced kayakers, canoeists, and some rafters from across the Northeastern United States.
Many paddlers launch at Ralph Stover State Park near Pipersville and travel roughly four miles along Tohickon Creek to its confluence with the Delaware River at Point Pleasant.
Park officials said the best time for spectators to view boating activity is generally between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM near Ralph Stover State Park.
Safety and Trail Guidance
Officials said the whitewater conditions on Tohickon Creek include Class 3 and Class 4 rapids, meaning the waters are considered technical and appropriate only for experienced paddlers.
Boaters are required to wear personal flotation devices and should follow safety guidelines established by the American Whitewater Association.
Officials also said visitors should prepare for increased traffic on nearby hiking trails, particularly in the High Rocks Vista Trail System.
Trail users are encouraged to remain on marked trails, allow space for other visitors, keep dogs on six-foot leashes, and clean up after pets.
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