West Branch Delaware River

{{Infobox river

| name = West Branch

| name_native =

| name_native_lang =

| name_other = Mohock Branch

| name_etymology =

| image = Hamden Covered Bridge May 06.jpg

| image_size = 250

| image_caption = West Branch flowing under the Hamden Covered Bridge

| map = Delaware headwaters map.png

| map_size = 250

| map_caption = Map of the upper Delaware River watershed, showing major tributaries

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_size =

| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = United States

| subdivision_type2 = State

| subdivision_name2 = New York

| subdivision_type3 = Region

| subdivision_name3 = Catskills

| subdivision_type4 = Counties

| subdivision_name4 = Schoharie, Delaware

| subdivision_type5 = Towns

| subdivision_name5 = Stamford, Delhi, Hancock, Deposit

| length = {{convert|90|mi|km|abbr=on}}

| width_min =

| width_avg =

| width_max =

| depth_min =

| depth_avg =

| depth_max =

| discharge1_location= Walton

| discharge1_min = {{convert|12|cuft|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_avg = {{convert|469|cuft|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_max = {{convert|28600|cuft|abbr=on}}

| discharge2_location= Hale Eddy

| discharge2_min = {{convert|17|cuft|abbr=on}}

| discharge2_avg = {{convert|780|cuft|abbr=on}}

| discharge2_max = {{convert|43400|cuft|abbr=on}}

| source1 = Unnamed pond

| source1_location = North of Mount Jefferson

| source1_coordinates= {{coord|42|27|16|N|74|36|01|W|display=inline}}{{cite gnis

| id = 969117

| name = West Branch Delaware River

| access-date = 2019-05-24 }}

| source1_elevation =

| mouth = Delaware River

| mouth_location = Hancock

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|41.9389755|-75.2790615|display=inline,title|format=dms}}

| mouth_elevation = {{convert|883|ft|abbr=on}}

| progression =

| river_system = Delaware River

| basin_size = {{convert|666|mi2|abbr=on}}{{cite web

| url = https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/inventory/?site_no=0142712905&agency_cd=USGS&

| title = USGS 0142712905 W BR DELAWARE RIVER AT MOUTH AT HANCOCK PA

| date = 2019

| website = usgs.gov

| publisher = usgs

| access-date = 24 May 2019

| quote = data}}

| tributaries_left = Little Delaware River

| tributaries_right = West Brook, Oquaga Creek

| custom_label =

| custom_data =

| extra =

}}

The West Branch Delaware River is one of two branches that form the Delaware River. It is approximately 90 mi (144 km) long, and flows through the U.S. states of New York and Pennsylvania. It winds through a mountainous area of New York in the western Catskill Mountains for most of its course, before joining the East Branch along the northeast border of Pennsylvania with New York. Midway or so it is impounded by the Cannonsville Dam to form the Cannonsville Reservoir, both part of the New York City water supply system for delivering drinking water to the City.{{cite gnis

| id = 945783

| name = Cannonsville Reservoir

| access-date = 2018-09-23}}{{cite gnis

| id = 969957

| name = Cannonsville Dam

| access-date = 2018-09-23}}

Course

It rises in Schoharie County, New York and flows generally southwest, entering Delaware County and flowing past Stamford and Delhi. In southwestern Delaware County it flows in an increasingly winding course through the mountains, generally southwest. At Stilesville it is impounded to form the Cannonsville Reservoir. At Deposit, on the border between Broome and Delaware counties, it turns sharply to the southeast and is paralleled by New York State Route 17. It joins the East Branch at Hancock to form the Delaware. For the lower 6 mi (10 km) it forms part of the boundary between New York and Pennsylvania.

Hydrology

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains many stream gauges along the West Branch Delaware River.

The station by the Village of Delhi, in operation since 1937, but making daily measurements since November 1996, is located {{convert|.6|mi|km}} upstream from the bridge on Route 28, and {{convert|1.9|mi|km}} upstream from the confluence of the Little Delaware River.{{cite web

| url = https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_default&site_no=01421900&period=&begin_date=2011-08-20&end_date=2011-09-30

| title = USGS 01421900 WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER UPSTREAM FROM DELHI NY

| date = May 24, 2019

| website = waterdata.usgs.gov

| publisher = waterdata.usgs.gov

| access-date = 24 May 2019

| quote = data}} This station had a maximum discharge of about {{convert|13000|cuft/s}} and a gauge height of {{convert|9.8|ft|m}} from floodmark on January 19, 1996 and a maximum gage height of {{convert|12.53|ft|m}} on August 28, 2011 as Hurricane Irene passed through the area. It had minimum discharge of {{convert|2.6|cuft/s}} on September 25, 1964 and a minimum gauge height of {{convert|1.72|ft|m}} on September 16–17, 2016.

The Hobart station, in service since 2000, located {{convert|300|ft|m}} upstream from Maple Street in the Hamlet of Hobart. This station had a maximum discharge of about {{convert|995|cuft/s}} and a gauge height of {{convert|3.22|ft|m}} on August 28, 2011 caused by Hurricane Irene. It had minimum discharge of {{convert|.05|cuft/s}} on November 13, 2001 and November 19, 2001.{{cite web

| url = https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/dv?referred_module=sw&site_no=01421610

| title = USGS 01421610 WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HOBART NY

| date = May 24, 2019

| website = waterdata.usgs.gov

| publisher = waterdata.usgs.gov

| access-date = 24 May 2019

| quote = data}}

The Walton station, in service since 1950, located {{convert|100|ft|m}} downstream from West Brook in the Village of Walton. This station had a maximum discharge of about {{convert|28600|cuft/s}} and a gauge height of {{convert|16.85|ft|m}} on June 28, 2006 during the 2006 Mid-Atlantic United States flood. It had minimum discharge of {{convert|12|cuft/s}} on September 15 and November 22, 1964.{{cite web

| url = https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv/?cb_00060=on&format=gif_default&site_no=01423000&period=&begin_date=1950-05-21&end_date=2019-05-28

| title = USGS 01423000 WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT WALTON NY

| date = May 28, 2019

| website = waterdata.usgs.gov

| publisher = waterdata.usgs.gov

| access-date = 28 May 2019

| quote = data}}

The Hale Eddy station, in service since 1912, located {{convert|9|mi|km}} upstream from the confluence of East and West Branches. Since the construction of the Cannonsville Reseevoir this station had a maximum discharge of {{convert|43400|cuft/s}} and a gauge height of {{convert|19.1|ft|m}} on June 28, 2006 during the 2006 Mid-Atlantic United States flood. It had minimum discharge of {{convert|17|cuft/s}} on October 20, 1963. The maximum discharge, prior to construction of Cannonsville Reservoir in 1963, was {{convert|28900|cuft/s}} on March 22, 1948. Outside the period of record: In the flood of October 10, 1903 this station reached a discharge of roughly {{convert|46000|cuft/s}}{{cite web

| url = https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01426500

| title = USGS 01426500 WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY

| date = May 28, 2019

| website = waterdata.usgs.gov

| publisher = waterdata.usgs.gov

| access-date = 28 May 2019

| quote = data}}

Fishing

The West Branch is tailwater fishery. This means the same cold water releases that keep it cooler in the summer, keep the river a little warmer in the winter and early spring. The upper section can be cleaner than other rivers during periods of heavy runoff. During high water on the Cannonsville Reservoir, many bait fish spill over the dam. These factors all provide and excellent environment for trout to thrive in.{{cite web|title=EARLY SEASON TROUT: WEST BRANCH OF THE DELAWARE

|url=https://www.thefisherman.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_ID=784&ParentCat=2|publisher=thefisherman.com|access-date=25 May 2019|date=2019}}

The trout population in this river is naturally reproducing, during the warm months stocked trout from smaller and warmer tributaries will seek sanctuary in its cool water. The West Branch Delaware River was divided into two sections when the Cannonsville Reservoir was formed. Downstream of the Cannonsville Reservoir, there are large numbered wild populations of brown trout and rainbow trout and an occasional brook trout can be caught although none are stocked. Seasonal anadromous runs of american shad with reports of occasional striped bass.{{cite web|title=Public Fishing Rights Maps: West Branch of the Delaware River

|url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/pfrwestbranch.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjJutC457biAhWEmVkKHdvSCBoQFjAGegQIChAB&usg=AOvVaw1USYr5kpZ1jOboZZwC10iU|publisher=dec.ny.gov|access-date=25 May 2019|date=2019}} This section is considered one of the best fly fishing trout streams in the United States, due to the cold water released from the reservoir.{{cite web|last=Miri|first=Larry|title=Fly Fishing The West Branch Of The Delaware River In New York And Pennsylvania|url=http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/articles/current/75/Fly+Fishing+The+West+Branch+Of+The+Delaware+River+In+New+York+And+Pennsylvania/|publisher=The Flyfishing Connection|access-date=25 March 2012|date=Jun 13, 2000}}