03-23-2010, 11:16 AM
Rehabilitation of the Raquette River Boat Launch will begin this fall, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Betsy Lowe announced today. The boat launch -- often referred to as "The Crusher" due to its proximity to a former gravel crushing operation -- is located east of the Village of Tupper Lake on State Routes 3 & 30 in the Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County.
"We are very pleased that work on the boat launch will begin this year," said Regional Director Lowe. "The rehabilitated boat launch will be safer and easier to use, including features that allow universal access, and the design is more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing."
The boat launch is the end point for the second day of the Adirondack Classic Canoe Race, known as the "The 90 Miler," which, this year, is scheduled to be Saturday, Sept. 12. Work will begin a few days after the race and is expected to be completed in spring of 2010. The boat launch will be closed to use while the work is underway.
Hunters who plan to hunt lands around the river during the 2009 Northern Zone Big Game season should seek alternate river access points such as Axton Landing on the Corey's Road.
All of the vertical timber bulkhead at the site will be replaced with hand-placed native stone. The stonework will fit into the final grade and native vegetation will be planted to provide the function and appearance of a natural shoreline. A site to launch canoes, kayaks and car top boats will be developed along the shoreline at the opposite end of the parking lot as the boat ramp. Except for the entrance from the state highway and the area surrounding the comfort station, all of the entrance roadway and parking areas will be gravel surfaces.
The existing launch ramp will be replaced with a single-lane concrete launch ramp with floating docks on one side. The launch ramp will be constructed to have a four-foot water depth at low water. This will allow boats to float off their trailers and prevent the development of scour holes from power loading boats. The floating docks will allow the launching and retrieving of boats to occur more quickly and safely. The aluminum framed docks will be covered with a wood fascia and wood decking and attached to a concrete abutment above the ordinary high water mark.
A number of features are included to make the site accessible to people of all abilities. An accessible bathroom, designated accessible parking sites, a hardened pathway from the parking lot to the ramp, and the floating docks are designed to be used by people with disabilities.
Media Contact
Mary Young, NYS DEC (518) 402-8000
"We are very pleased that work on the boat launch will begin this year," said Regional Director Lowe. "The rehabilitated boat launch will be safer and easier to use, including features that allow universal access, and the design is more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing."
The boat launch is the end point for the second day of the Adirondack Classic Canoe Race, known as the "The 90 Miler," which, this year, is scheduled to be Saturday, Sept. 12. Work will begin a few days after the race and is expected to be completed in spring of 2010. The boat launch will be closed to use while the work is underway.
Hunters who plan to hunt lands around the river during the 2009 Northern Zone Big Game season should seek alternate river access points such as Axton Landing on the Corey's Road.
All of the vertical timber bulkhead at the site will be replaced with hand-placed native stone. The stonework will fit into the final grade and native vegetation will be planted to provide the function and appearance of a natural shoreline. A site to launch canoes, kayaks and car top boats will be developed along the shoreline at the opposite end of the parking lot as the boat ramp. Except for the entrance from the state highway and the area surrounding the comfort station, all of the entrance roadway and parking areas will be gravel surfaces.
The existing launch ramp will be replaced with a single-lane concrete launch ramp with floating docks on one side. The launch ramp will be constructed to have a four-foot water depth at low water. This will allow boats to float off their trailers and prevent the development of scour holes from power loading boats. The floating docks will allow the launching and retrieving of boats to occur more quickly and safely. The aluminum framed docks will be covered with a wood fascia and wood decking and attached to a concrete abutment above the ordinary high water mark.
A number of features are included to make the site accessible to people of all abilities. An accessible bathroom, designated accessible parking sites, a hardened pathway from the parking lot to the ramp, and the floating docks are designed to be used by people with disabilities.
Media Contact
Mary Young, NYS DEC (518) 402-8000