Plattekill Creek is a 16.7-mile-long (26.9 km)[2] tributary of Esopus Creek in the Catskill Mountains in the U.S. state of New York. From its source on the southern slopes of Kaaterskill High Peak, it flows across Ulster and Greene counties to the Esopus at Mount Marion. The name is a Dutch word meaning "flat brook".[1]

Plattekill Creek
Map of Esopus Creek watershed, showing Plattekill Creek
Plattekill Creek is located in New York Adirondack Park
Plattekill Creek
Location of the mouth of Plattekill Creek
Plattekill Creek is located in the United States
Plattekill Creek
Plattekill Creek (the United States)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
RegionCatskill Mountains
CountiesUlster, Greene
Physical characteristics
SourceSouth slopes of Kaaterskill High Peak
 • coordinates42°09′13″N 74°04′37″W / 42.1537003°N 74.0770825°W / 42.1537003; -74.0770825[1]
MouthEsopus Creek
 • coordinates
42°01′17″N 73°59′16″W / 42.0214805°N 73.9879150°W / 42.0214805; -73.9879150[1]
 • elevation
118 ft (36 m)[1]
Length16.7 mi (26.9 km)
Basin features
WaterfallsOld Mill Falls, Plattekill Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Gray Rock Falls, Schalks Falls

Plattekill Creek passes through the Platte Clove Preserve, which is a 208-acre nature preserve, that includes Plattekill Falls along with other waterfalls and also trails. The preserve is located in Platte Clove in the town of Hunter.

Recreation

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New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regularly stocks fish in the creek to supplement the native population. In spring 2020, the DEC stocked 360 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) and 2060 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) long brown trout into the creek in April, then another 1140 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) brown trout in May.[3]

Hydrology

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New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) rates the water quality of Plattekill Creek in different sections.[4] The lowermost section of the stream, from the mouth to Saugerties Reservoir in Blue Mountain,[4] is rated Class B, suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation and fishing.[5] The remaining section from the reservoir to the source has not been rated by the DEC.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Plattekill Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 15, 2020
  3. ^ "Spring 2020 Trout Stocking for Ulster County". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Esopus Creek (0202000609)" (PDF). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. December 13, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "New York State Code of Rules and Regulations, Part 701.7: Class B fresh waters". NYSDEC. January 17, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2020.