Water in New York

[sore ankle]

I will be heading out to hike through New York in the next few weeks and am wondering about water sources. I see that the well pumps have been removed from the RPH, Morgan Stewart, and Wiley Shelters and the Shenandoah camping area. Can anyone enlighten me as to good alternative water sources for these areas?

[LittleRock]

RPH is like 0.1 mile north of a large stream. Wiley is about 0.5 mile south of a large stream. Morgan Stewart you have to carry water about 3 miles from either direction to the shelter. Shenandoah campsite area is also pretty far from water sources.

[Kaptainkriz]

I’m starting between 87 and the Hudson tomorrow - I’ll post what I experience and update comments in FarOut app if I remember.

[Traveler]

It's been on and off dry weather of late, but most brooks and streams have water as do the ponds and marshes. Runnoff waterways may be dry depending on weather but recharge with moderate rainfall.

Having run short of water in hot weather a couple of times I tend to be pretty conservative and will carry surplus water when I find a reasonably good source and have concerns about sources ahead. The Wiley Shelter has an unimproved water site that could be Duell Hollow Brook the trail crosses to the south. I would fill up here as best you can as there is no potable water sources between Wiley and the Schaghticoke camping area. There are unimproved water sites at most of the camping areas along the Housatonic river AT and beyond that should have water given recent rains (and predicted rain this weekend). I would filter water from these sources to avoid the unpleasant repercussions of tainted water following a rain water run off that can carry parasites. I don't think there will be a problem overall.

As a caution, do NOT take water (or consume fish) from Ten Mile river or the Housatonic river (should be well signed) due to PCB pollutants. Most all camping areas have fairly dependable independent water sources, though the manual water pumps have been removed.

[hikermiker]

Be sure to thank the NPS & ATC for removing the pumps.

[wornoutboots]

Be sure to thank the NPS & ATC for removing the pumps.

No Shiot!!!

They are NOT hiker friendly & questionable in nature......

[alborg2]

Be sure to thank the NPS & ATC for removing the pumps.

It's been a few years, but as I recall there was a sign posted by the water pump at the RPH shelter warning not to drink the water due to fecal contamination from an old, leaking sceptic tank on the property. The water that came out was very brown in color! I'd bet that they removed it due to the liability.

[Kaptainkriz]

Water was slow, but achievable at most regular stream crossings. Oddly enough, the handle at 10MileRiver has been replaced on the pump and it was functional this past weekend. The intermittent stream there for good water just north of 10MileRiver bridge under the power lines was also flowing.