Catskill Watershed Corporation

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Catskill Watershed Corporation Supporting local Catskills communities through community enrichment, economic vitality, and watershed protection.

A Catskills thunderstorm comes with its own ghost story. ⛈️In Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, the rumbling heard in ...
10/16/2026

A Catskills thunderstorm comes with its own ghost story. ⛈️

In Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, the rumbling heard in the mountains is said to be Hendrick Hudson and his crew playing ninepins—an old bowling game—somewhere out of sight.

Next time thunder rolls across the peaks, you’ll have another explanation to consider. 🎳👻

📸 Joseph Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle (1896) from a series of films produced in 1896, which consisted of:

Rip's Toast (AM&B Cat. #45)
Rip Meets the Dwarf (AM&B Cat. #46)
Rip and the Dwarf
Rip Leaving Sleepy Hollow (AM&B Cat. #52)
Rip's Toast to Hudson and Crew
Rip's Twenty Years' Sleep (AM&B Cat. #50)
Awakening of Rip
Rip Passing Over Hill

These films were selected together for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1995 and featured on the DVD release More Treasures from American Film Archives, 1894-1931.

Have you seen them?

10/15/2026

Catskill Trail Conditions | October 16–18

Fall is showing off across the Catskills, but this weekend's weather is bringing a reminder that winter isn't too far behind!

Friday looks wet, with rain and scattered thunderstorms and highs reaching 67°F. Saturday brings a significant cooldown, with highs only reaching 46°F and a mix of clouds and sunshine. Sunday offers a sunnier finish to the weekend, with temperatures climbing into the mid-50s.

With peak foliage still putting on a beautiful display across parts of the region, it's a great time to explore! Just be prepared for muddy, slippery trails following Friday's rain and possible frost or icy patches at higher elevations as temperatures drop below freezing Saturday night. Dress for the conditions and enjoy the fleeting beauty of autumn in the Catskills!

This week's trail conditions are sponsored by

🥾 Trail Tips:

• Watch for slippery conditions. Friday's rain, combined with fallen leaves, could make rocks, roots, and steep sections slick.

• Be prepared for freezing temperatures. Saturday night's low is expected to reach 30°F, with potentially colder conditions at higher elevations. Watch for frost and isolated icy patches.

• Keep an eye on changing weather. Friday's thunderstorms could create hazardous conditions, especially on exposed summits.

• Stay visible during hunting season. Wear blaze orange or other bright colors, and consider adding a brightly colored vest or bandana to your dog.

• Plan for shorter daylight hours. Start hikes with enough time to finish before sunset, and always carry a headlamp as part of your essential gear.

• Protect the trails during wet weather. Walk through muddy sections rather than around them to avoid widening trails.

🔗 To learn more about this week's trail conditions, visit catskillstrailconditions.com

Looking for outdoor gear to rent? Stop by our Visitor Center or check out rentals online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals

Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the people and places that shape this region and to keep learning its history...
10/15/2026

Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the people and places that shape this region and to keep learning its history. Here is Kristen Wyckoff of the Gilboa History Museum with her children's book Dennis’s Devonian Adventure. Dennis goes fishing on the Schoharie reservoir with his dad and catches a prehistoric armored fish. The fish takes him back to the Devonian period. It’s a fun way to learn about our famous tree fossils in our wonderful watershed town of Gilboa.

We love this post from one of our lovely CWC staff members as they explored the watershed this weekend with their fami...
10/14/2026

We love this post from one of our lovely CWC staff members as they explored the watershed this weekend with their family.

Show us your watershed weekend. 🍂 A winding road, a village storefront, a favorite trail, or a reservoir overlook: what says “fall in the Catskills” to you?

Share a photo in the comments and tell us where it was taken. (Please stay in permitted public areas and follow posted access rules.)

As the school year kicks into gear, we're reminded of our largest septic project to-date, Bovina Montessori School. This...
10/13/2026

As the school year kicks into gear, we're reminded of our largest septic project to-date, Bovina Montessori School.

This massive project created many records for us, from funds awarded to materials used. Shout out to the many teams, contractors and our partners at the school for helping to pull off this amazing accomplishment.

To learn more about the CWC septic program grants and resources, visit www.CWCseptic.org

DREAM BIG, we can help!The Catskill Fund for the Future (CFF), managed by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), prov...
10/12/2026

DREAM BIG, we can help!

The Catskill Fund for the Future (CFF), managed by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), provides financing for businesses and community projects that create jobs, support economic growth, and protect the West of Hudson NYC Watershed.

For-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipalities may apply for the following:

• Real Estate Acquisition
• Property Renovations
• Equipment & Furnishings
• Pollution Prevention
• Energy Conservation
• Other capital needs

Learn more at www.CWConline.org

The West of Hudson Watershed (which is the area served by the programs and grants CWC provides) consists of these six re...
10/09/2026

The West of Hudson Watershed (which is the area served by the programs and grants CWC provides) consists of these six reservoirs.

Can you name them all?

We're on the road to attend the annual NY teachers conference where we'll introduce educators to our new Passport to t...
10/08/2026

We're on the road to attend the annual NY teachers conference where we'll introduce educators to our new Passport to the West of Hudson Watershed activity book for kids.

In addition to our own educational resources, The CWC, in partnership with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), awards an annual round of Watershed Education Grants to schools, libraries, museums, vocational institutions and non-profit organizations in the West-of-Hudson (WOH) Watershed and in the five boroughs of New York City.

We want to make it easy for kids from across the state to explore our wonderful watershed and become stewards of our water no matter where they are!

The fall landscape is beautiful. It’s also hard at work. Rain, streams, forests, roads, homes, and local businesses are ...
10/07/2026

The fall landscape is beautiful. It’s also hard at work. Rain, streams, forests, roads, homes, and local businesses are all part of the watershed story. Our latest blog looks at how water moves through this region and how CWC helps protect it while supporting the communities here.

Read: “Where the Water Begins: Fall in the West of Hudson Watershed” on our blog.

📸 Ashokan Reservoir at Butternut Creek. Photo by Aaron Bennett

It's spooky season and nothing is scarier than a backed up septic tank!Fall home checklist: gutters, heat, and… your sep...
10/06/2026

It's spooky season and nothing is scarier than a backed up septic tank!

Fall home checklist: gutters, heat, and… your septic system. If you don’t know when your system was last inspected or pumped, now is a good time to find your records and speak with a qualified local professional. Caring for a septic system helps protect your property and the water around it.

CWC has financial resources available for eligible watershed property owners for maintenance costs and qualifying repair or replacement projects.

Address

669 County Highway 38, Suite 1
Margaretville, NY
12406

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

(845) 586-1400

Website

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