Where's the Rum?

Almost as much water flowing through this fountain Alan built me
as there is in the river these days.

Or should I ask, where's the water?

As I may have mentioned we visit the boat launch at Schoharie Crossing State Historical Site more days than not. It's a nice place even if you aren't a birder, situated near the confluence of the Schoharie "Creek" (loose term for misnamed river...she sure can rage when she wants to) and the Mohawk River. It is just above Lock 12 and home to kayak parties, picnics, and bass tournaments in summer almost every year.

In fact we usually only visit in the early morning in late spring, summer, and early fall, because it gets really crowded and all the birds hide in the bushes and are not seen...well, except for the day of the Nelson's Gull but that is another story.

However, this year the state never closed the dams at the locks. The river is the lowest any of us has ever seen it as is the Schoharie. You can walk on the stony bed of the creek more than half way across it and all the way to the river. Fun for me, as the carp are spawning in the shallows making a great show of splash and dash, and birds love the mud flats. 

However, today the boat steward (still on duty, even without navigable water) had some questions to answer as did I. I was just heading back to the car when three big pickups pulling speedy bass boats on fancy trailers pulled into the parking lot.

Men exited the trucks and stood around staring in puzzlement and scratching their heads.

"Where's the water?" one of them asked me. I explained about the locks and pointed out the little headland behind which lock 12 is situated.

"Is it always like this in the spring?" another asked a little later as he walked the significant distance from the concrete foundation of the launch (no floating dock...nothing to float on) on his way to try to fish from the much altered "shore".

Same answer. They had driven three hours to fish, having participated in bass tournaments there many times. They decided to give Sacandaga a go. I told them that I thought there was water there.

Anyone know if there are plans to open the canal at all this summer? I actually love the ability to walk right on the river bed, but I think the boat folks are hoping. 

Looking up the Schoharie at the aqueduct back in March
the big pool in the foreground is not much bigger than a bathtub now.