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River
Conditions to Next Access Point:
This section of river is generally fast-moving. Three stone
supports of an abandoned railroad bridge present obstacles.
Two small islands
and a change in elevation form several whitewater chutes at the
old Treichlers Dam.
Linkages:
- Lehigh Navigation Canal Towpath: A
5-mile walking and biking trail extends from the Locktender's
House north to Lehigh Gap and south to Bertsch Creek.
- Canal-River Water-Trail Loop: The
proximity of the Lehigh Navigation canal to the riverbank allows
for an interesting canal-river water-trail loop. Boaters
can move between the river and the canal at three locations:
(1) at the Locktender's House and Lock #23 at this access
point; (2) at Lock #25 downstream from this access point, just
above Bertsch Creek (and the remnants of the aqueduct that carried
the canal over the creek); and (3) north of this access point
upstream from Lock #22. Beyond this point, the canal narrows
and is difficult to travel.
- Main Street and Route 145 amenities:
Restaurants, an ice-cream shop, convenience stores, a bike
shop, and shopping centers are all within walking distance of
this access point.
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Access Point Orientation and Description:
Access is on RIVER LEFT. The
riverbank is a low-lying, wooded area. The river is strewn
with medium-sized boulders, which offer some challenges in low-water
conditions.
Locating the Access Point from the River:
This access point is a 0.2 mile
downstream from an automobile bridge (Main Street Bridge) over
the river between Walnutport (on RIVER LEFT) and Slatington (on
RIVER RIGHT), and a grouping of several riverfront homes.
Directions to Access Parking/Unloading Area by Land:
From
Route 22, turn onto Route 145 North and go 12.8 miles to the traffic
light at Main Street in Walnutport. Turn left onto Main
Street and go 0.5 mile to Lehigh Street ( just before
the bridge over the Lehigh River). Turn left (south) onto
Lehigh Street and go 0.2 mile to the parking area at the Earl
F. Snyder Canal Park.
Access Point Location:
From the parking area at the Earl F.
Snyder Canal Park, follow the dirt path on the river side of the
parking area to the river access point.
User Facilities:
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Portable
toilets
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Canal-river
water-trail loop
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Hiking and biking
trail
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Historic buildings,
museum, canal, and lock
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Parking for 50+ vehicles
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Restaurants and services
close by in downtown Walnutport
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Pavilion with picnic
tables
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Wildlife watching
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Wetland preserve
Ownership
and Maintenance:
Present Use
and Conditions:
This is a carry-in access point.
Within the Earl F. Snyder Canal Park, the Walnutport Canal Association
has restored over four miles of canal and towpath, plus a quarter
mile of wooded trail near the riverbank. The original Locktender's
House and Lock #23, directly adjacent to the house, have been
restored. An small addition to the Locktender's House is
now the Walnutport Canal Museum. This is the site of an
annual canal festival, plus other community activities.
The parking area, available free to boaters, provides parking
for 50 vehicles. Overnight parking is available with permission.
Boats need to be carried approximately 25 yards to the river.
The riverbank is level and wooded. Watch for poison ivy.
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