April 25 — The New York Power Authority has reopened the Lower and Upper Reservoirs for the season to recreational boating as part of the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. Both fishing areas were recently set up with picnic tables and portable toilets, according to a NYPA news release.
Use of the top tank is limited only to rowboats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, with or without electric trolling motors. Gasoline engines and sailboats are prohibited on the upper tank. Pleasure craft, including rowboats or canoes, with or without electric trolling motors, and boats with gasoline engines may be used in the lower tank.
Public fishing access along Schoharie Creek, just below Lower Reservoir, is currently open.
To access the Upper Reservoir, boaters must stop at the South Gate on Valenti Road no earlier than 7 a.m. on the day Upper Reservoir is scheduled to be used. All boats must leave the reservoir promptly at 5 p.m. Inshore fishing closes at dusk. Daily inspections of the tank will be conducted by NYPA security, according to the release.
To access the Lower Reservoir, boaters must stop at the Mine Kill State Park toll booth or park office on the day that use of the Lower Reservoir is scheduled. Boating will be allowed from 7:30 a.m. until the park closes, but all boats must leave the reservoir one hour before the park closes. The park will be open until 4 p.m. until the first weekend in May; then it will remain open until dusk.
Visit the New York State Office of Recreation and Historic Preservation webpage for tips on boating safety.
Reservoirs may be closed to navigation at any time at the discretion of the Power Authority, the release said.
