Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Catskill Boat Ramp Gets Needed Repairs-More Planned in the Fall

CATSKILL - The first repairs to address problems at the boat ramp at Dutchman’s Landing in the Village of Catskill were completed last week. When village officials met with Delaware Engineering back on July 11th, it was decided excess riprap placed below the poured concrete portion of the ramp would be removed as soon as possible. Their aim was to prevent boats from getting hung up on the stone/cobble while being launched or retrieved. That work was completed by Flach Industries on July 24th. 

 Unfortunately, some users of the ramp report while that repair may have fixed one problem, it may have caused another. Boat hulls may no longer scrape along the stone riprap, but when reaching the end of the ramp, trailers may be in danger of rolling off the end. Plus, the shallow slope of the ramps requires some vehicles to back so far down the ramp, tailpipes, and bumpers  may be submerged. 

 In one reported incident after the removal of the riprap, an 18-foot boat being launched at low tide on the northern side of the center ramp went back so far, it’s right trailer tire went into a hole. The left tire remained so high the small vessel could not be off loaded from its trailer. A portion of the back of the truck was already submerged and the driver stated he felt if he backed up any further, the trailer would fall off the end of the ramp. 

Experienced users of the ramp maintain the slope of the ramp is the major concern and single largest factor diminishing the ramp’s functionality. They assert all the ramps are much too shallow, forcing boats on trailers to have to be backed down much further down the ramp into the river. Plus, the grade or slope of the ramp varies greatly depending on which ramp you choose. The slope also changes depending how far you back the trailer down. The two center ramps are at drastically different heights and slopes.They have a hastily poured patch along their seams causing a difference in height that measures as much as 10-inches at the lower end of the two ramps. 

 I spoke with Matt Davis, of Delaware Engineering, who said he plans to address the uneven ramp issue this October, after the busy summer boating season. The tentative plan is to cut and jackhammer portions of the ramp which became elevated when the concrete slab plowed up onto underlying graded material when it was originally pushed into place. New concrete will then be poured over the exposed rebar so the two ramps will be on an even plane. Once this repair is completed, planned repairs do not address the overarching problem of a lack of sufficient angle on any of the other ramps. 

When asked if the ramp is useable at low tide, Matt Davis responded unequivocally in the affirmative. He reports immediately after overseeing removal of the riprap on Wednesday July 24th, at near, dead-low tide, he observed the successful launch of a 30-foot vessel from the southernmost, center ramp. Regarding previously discussed plans to extend the concrete ramps using metal plates, the Delaware Engineering representative said that is not being considered at this time. When I inquired as to how many boat ramps Delaware Engineering has designed, the engineer stated he was not aware of any constructed by his firm. 

Village President, Joe Kozlowski, said he supports Delaware Engineering’s plans to attempt to repair the ramp in October. He said while the ramp is used by duck hunters in the fall, the impact of closing the ramp then is preferred to closing it for an extended period during the height of the summer season. The Village President confirmed he is aware of continuing complaints about the ramps after the removal of the riprap last week, but remarked there were only a few on social media. 

 After interviewing Village Officials, Matt Davis of Delaware Engineering, and several experienced boaters, it’s become clear those who experience problems launching or retrieving vessels at the Catskill ramp should report incidents and express any concerns directly to local elected officials and their hired engineering firm. Some residents are calling for the demolition and outright replacement of the troubled ramps. 

 While acknowledging the good intentions of the village in correcting problems with the old ramps, some feel the new ramps are much worse; beyond superficial repairs due to irreversible design and construction flaws. They emphasized the significance of having a functional, free, boat ramp in the Village of Catskill. If boaters are not comfortable launching their vessels from ramps in Catskill, they fear they will choose to travel to Athens, Coxsackie, or Germantown, which could negatively impact the local economy.  

 If you would like to respectfully express any problems or concerns you may have regarding the boat ramp at Dutchman’s Landing, you can contact the Village of Catskill at 518-943-3830. Delaware Engineering can be reached at 518-452-1290.   

Happy Boating, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Until Next Time

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.