Plattekill Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plattekill Creek |
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Map of Esopus Creek watershed, showing Plattekill Creek
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Location of the mouth of Plattekill Creek
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Region | Catskill Mountains |
| Counties | Ulster, Greene |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | South slopes of Kaaterskill High Peak 42°09′13″N 74°04′37″W / 42.1537003°N 74.0770825°W |
| River mouth | Esopus Creek 118 ft (36 m) 42°01′17″N 73°59′16″W / 42.0214805°N 73.9879150°W |
| Length | 16.7 mi (26.9 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Waterfalls | Old Mill Falls, Plattekill Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Gray Rock Falls, Schalks Falls |
Plattekill Creek is a 16.7-mile-long stream located in the Catskill Mountains in New York State. It is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Plattekill Creek joins the Esopus Creek.
The name "Plattekill" comes from the Dutch language. It means "flat brook," which describes how the creek flows. The creek starts high up on the southern slopes of Kaaterskill High Peak. From there, it flows through two counties, Ulster and Greene. Finally, it reaches the Esopus Creek near a place called Mount Marion.
Along its path, Plattekill Creek flows through the Platte Clove Preserve. This preserve is a large nature area, covering 208 acres. It's a great place to visit because it has beautiful waterfalls, including Plattekill Falls. There are also many trails for hiking and exploring the outdoors.
Fun Activities: Fishing in Plattekill Creek
If you enjoy fishing, Plattekill Creek is a good spot! The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) works to keep the creek full of fish. They regularly add fish to help the natural fish population grow.
For example, in spring 2020, the DEC added many brown trout to the creek. In April, they stocked 360 brown trout that were 12 to 15 inches long. They also added 2,060 smaller brown trout, about 8 to 9 inches long. Then, in May, they added another 1,140 brown trout, also 8 to 9 inches long. This helps make sure there are plenty of fish for everyone to enjoy.
How Clean is the Water?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also checks the water quality of Plattekill Creek. Water quality tells us how clean and safe the water is. Different parts of the creek are rated differently.
The lowest part of the creek, from where it meets the Esopus Creek up to the Saugerties Reservoir, is rated as "Class B." This means the water is clean enough for swimming and other fun activities. It's also good for fishing. The rest of the creek, from the reservoir up to its source, has not yet been rated by the DEC.
