Saturday May 2, 2009 : Five persons ran 2 patrols, Pete & Dick at Skinners and Cedar/ Shohola by Dave& Jane Simon and Mitzi from NCSP Lower Chapter. Little traffic.

Sunday May 3: Five persons ran 2 patrols - Did not see so much as a dead fish on the river.
Jim M, John E & Dick ran Cedar/ Shohola while Dave & Jane patrolled Staircase to Sparrowbush. Kittatinny closed their Matamoras base with zero customers.

Saturday May 9: Patrol cancelled on anticpated light traffic.

Sunday May 10: Four members patrolled with three rescue canoes (two solo, one tandem) starting from Kittatinny’s Staircase Rapids access with one mid-patrol checkpoint call to Dispatch from below Mongaup Rapids and finishing at Sparrowbush fishing access. No rescue or recovery incidents; river traffic was very light.

Saturday May 16: Saw 2 patrols with 6 volunteers. One at Skinners with Ranger Bill Weber also on station and the other patrol moved to TMR to Zane Grey based on anticipated traffic. Numerous Boy Scout trips were seen but a river level of 3.4 ft meant most rocks were covered and the water moved the canoes along with little problems.
Sunday May 17: Overnight rain raised the river to 5.9 ft. One patrol of 2 veteran members and 2 newer members ran from TMR to Zane Grey in about 2 hours. The new policy of updated radio locations for patrols proved valuable when Dispatch called about locating a Cedar Rapids group because of the rising waters. The NCSP patrol was able to eyeball the group and confirm their location and status.

Saturday May 23 With 20+ volunteers we gave full coverage with 5 patrols. Water depth : ~4.4 ft.
1) Stationary patrol at Skinners with valued support by Ranger Weber. Heavy volume in the morning hours due to Scout troops.
2) Skinners to Zane Grey for a 20 mile patrol with periodic radio checks.
3) TMR to Zane Grey
4) Lukes Landing to NPS Barryville, Concentration at Shohola rapids. The higher water level allowed good travel through a normally rocky stretch.
5) Staircase to Matamoras Kittatinny provides an early shuttle to facilitate this section

Sunday May 24, 2009 We had 34 volunteers A RECORD TURNOUT Put out 4 patrols, heavy traffic and water levels at ~4.5 ft
1) Skinners
2) TMR to ZG - a section isolated from 97, popular but few problems.
3) Luke’s Landing to NPS Barryville access with a concentration at Shohola rapids as it is lengthy and isolated from 97. Having part of our April training at Shohola rapids made members more comfortable here.
4) Staircase to Matamoras An NPS Intern's canoe training trip on Friday, made us aware of a strong wave that develops at Upper Staircase at a water level around 4.5 ft. Patrols over Memorial weekend were alerted to this potential challenge.

Monday May 25 15 volunteers, did 3 patrols in good weather and 4.5 water levels. No major problems reported over the weekend.
1) Skinners (4 persons)
2) Lukes to NPS Barryville (7 persons but 4 left Shohola at lunch for a long drive back to Conn)
3) Staircase to Matamoras (4 persons)
NCSP Patrol Report for Sat/Sun May 30/31, 2009

Saturday May 30 - water level was 7.2 ft at 11, 600 cfs Patrols were at Skinners and Staircase to Matamoras.
Skinner activity was largely rafts in the morning. However one scout troop in Al canoes ran it without incident. The water was treeline to treeline. Efforts were directed to making people acutely aware of the high water dangers and pressing for PFD's to be on and secure.
The rapids from Staircase put in to Matamoras were roaring. At Staircase Rapids, a rafter slipped on shore and dislocated his shoulder. Dispatch contacted a power boat patrol and the ranger transported the victim to a land based ambulance. Canoes were prone to swamp in this section at these water levels. Liveries primarily used rafts.

Sunday May 31 - River was about 6.2 ft and 8,000 cfs. One patrol of 4 boats covered Lukes Landing thru Cedar Rapids and spent time at Shohola Rapids. The sparse traffic was all rafts. One new NCSP person has already served 5 days this season.
The procedure of a 9 am sign in on Sat & Sun at Zane Grey is working well. Ingrid Peterec provides radios or fresh batteries as needed and coordinates NCSP and Intern patrol locations to optimize available skilled personnel. Training, coordination and good judgment are especially important at these river conditions.

Saturday June 6. A 2 person patrol was at Skinners, ably supported by Ranger Weber. Water level 4.5 ft.

Sunday June 7 Four paddlers went to Skinners with the option to paddle to Narrowsburg, NY

Saturday June 13 - We had 12 - 15 volunteers and the Delaware was at 4.2 ft with generally good weather
At the request of the Upper Delaware Conservancy, we dispatched Peter VanSlyke to provide safety for their trip of 45 paddlers going from Buckingham Park to just beyond Long Eddy. Three other patrols were:
A) Skinners - a few swamped canoes in medium traffic
B) Cedar/ Shohola - freed a pinned canoe and enabled the trip to continue. The isolated set of Shohola rapids continues to warrant our coverage. NCSP April training in this location was beneficial.
C) Staircase to Matamoras -A number of swamped canoes at the major rapids were assisted. Mill
Rift was unexpectedly challenging at 4.2 ft. Kittatinny Canoes continues to provide a courtesy shuttle for this section

Sunday June 14 - A Skill Drill from 9 - 10 am included 7 NPS Interns and 12 NCSP volunteers. The dry land drill covered 3 methods of in water mobility as well as the Snag-Tag for extracting foot entraped victims.
NPS sent a power boat based team to remove a tree strainer at the foot of Butler's Rift. NCSP Bruce Wyman was sent as an upstream safety to keep canoes, kayaks & rafts away from the strainer work.
Cedar/Shohola patrol - challenging but light traffic
Staircase to Matamoras - challenging but light traffic

Saturday June 20 - One patrol went from staircase to Matamoras to scout that run before the Delaware Sojourn started. NCSP volunteers were: Ken Bailey, Marc Magnus & John Bilitz.
Sunday June 21- DE River Sojourn ran from KC River Beach to Dingmans Ferry access. 12 miles in 2 hours with rafts and a few hard boats. No problems.  NCSP safeties were: Dave & Jane Simon,Troy & Dejay, Pat & Walter South, Ray Mei, Bob Schagel, Jim Schmidt, Joe & Joseph Bennett and Dick Rhodes
 
Saturday June 27 - The river was at 6 ft early Sat. On Thursday, we heard that a race was planned Sat .from TMR to Matamoras as well as numerous Boy Scout groups, in hard boats, going down river from TMR or Pond Eddy. (NPS contact reports for TMR were in access of 700).
     We issued an "All Hands" call to the membership as both the Delaware and Lehigh Sojourns were active Sat using mostly NCSP folks as safeties.
     Ten more NCSP volunteers came Sat. We put out 3 patrols to cover Konkeilli, Shohola rapids and Staircase to Matamoras. Many swamped boats but no injuries. We used tandem canoes in Shohola.

Sunday June 28.  River at 5.5 ft. The crowds went home and the sun was out. A 4 person patrol from TMR saw little activity.

Friday July 3. This holiday Friday was also the start of summer releases from Lake Wallenpaupack on the Lackawaxen River. Large turn out of paddling club boaters. Traffic on the Delaware was very light, with no NCSP patrols.
Saturday July 4 - Some 16 NCSP volunteers ran four patrols (Skinners, TMR to ZG, Cedar & Shohola and Staircase to Matamoras). River was at 4.9 ft, good weather and traffic was fairly heavy with a good mix of rafts, canoes & kayaks.
Sunday July 5 - A good turn out of 12 NCSP volunteers placed 4 patrols on the river. Traffic was light, weather beautiful and no major incidents to report

Saturday July 11 - River height was about 3.5 ft, closer to seasonal levels and temps in the upper 70's. A good turn out of NCSP volunteers enabled us to field 3 patrols. River traffic was good but lighter than previous years.

Sunday July 12 - Some 10 NCSP folks and 6 NPS interns had an active Strainer Drill in the currents by the Roebling Bridge. Lots of realistic practice in overcoming deadly strainers. Patrols were at Skinners and  Staircase to Matamoras. Also a team provided safety for the annual Calicoon canoe race to Lander's Skinners base. Thanks to Dave Simon for staying to help with the Strainer Drill.

Sat July 18 - The river peaked above 3.9 ft during the afternoon. 10 Volunteers ran 3 patrols. A submerged tree below Butler's Rift was reported as a swimmer hazard. One couple was found stranded mid river behind the # 9 bridge pier sans boat. The patrol got them safely to shore and reunited with said boat.
                    The patrol at Skinners had signed off and was heading down 97 to return the NPS radio.
They were almost 'first on scene' of a car that swerved across the southbound lane and down an embankment into a wooded area. Using the NPS radio, the patrol called Dispatch for assistance. Ranger Weber was at the site with in 2 minutes, flares were placed, victims assessed and EMS and Fire/Rescue arrived promptly.  The NPS radio was returned. One member of the NCSP patrol was a police officer.
 
Sunday July 19 - River was at 3.8 ft with sunny weather. Nine  volunteers ran 2 patrols Cedar/ Shohola and TMR to Zane Grey. Traffic was light with little to report.

Sat July 26 - Weather was sunny & 80+ . River was at 3.1 ft  Some 14 volunteers patrolled 1) Hankins to Milanville 2) Skinners Falls & 3) Cedar/ Schohola.  Busy traffic, PFD compliance was good.
            Skinners - Ken B did his "walk on water" routine to rescue a small frightened boy stranded on a rock in the pool below the 'fortress''. Marc M enabled a kayaker to apply what he learned to future trips. The lesson was that it is a BAD idea to choose to wear big hiking boots and no PFD in a kayak.
           Schohola - Heavy traffic. Pinned/overturned boats were recovered promptly and the rescued people continued down river without incident.
            The patrols were a mix of vets and newbies with lots of learning opportunities.
 
Sun July 26 Cloudy, in the low 70's. River at 3.1 ft. Some 6 volunteers ran 2 patrols from 1) Narrowsburg to Zane Grey and 2) Staircase to Matamoras. Light traffic with the threat of showers.

Sat Aug 1 - Sunny with the river at 8.7 ft. The liveries put out only rafts, but a large number with the water above 8 ft. Saw many rafters not wearing PFDs! Our original land based assignment was at the access by Barryville/Shohola bridge. Seeing all the rafts, a 3 man team went to Butler's Rift using the access off 97.
           On station, a raft was spotted caught in the small trees and growth on the PA side. The raft was deflating and the family was holding on to trees and the soft raft. The NPS power boat responded, but could not get thru the flooded growth to reach the family. NPS used the boat to ferry Tony B and Pete VS to the proximity of the raft. Tony & Pete waded the swiftwater brush to get the 4 family members to the power boat. Taking 3 trips, the boat got all back to the NY shore, but could not continue due to mechanical problems. NCSP team (including Mike Wilk) hiked the family out to the cars on 97 and took them back to the Silver Canoe base in Port Jervis.
            The NPS & NCSP teams worked well together due to high skill levels and mutual trust in their  abilities. Also the NPS seasonal Ranger had just taken the NCSP SWR training in April.  Suggestion: More combined training with NCSP, NPS and also invite liveries and local rescue squads. The park is the river, Swift Water Rescue training is key to any serious safety programs in the park.
 
Sun Aug 2 - Rainy with water levels about  7 ft. The 5 member paddling NCSP patrol was requested to station above the Butler Rift area on the PA side (river right) to warn people away from that problem area. ( a 'horizontal strainer'). A second boat was caught in the same spot later on Sat. Traffic was light.

Sat Aug 8 - Nine volunteers formed 2 patrols, Skinners & Cedar /Shohola. Water level was 4.7 ft  A number of swamped boat rescues at Shohola rapids and Skinners. Even one at Cedar rapids.
Boat traffic was busy on this sunny day. (Also rain was forecast for Sunday)
 
Sun Aug 9 - Two volunteers formed a patrol from Lukes to NPS Barryville office. Light rain and clouds yielded very low river traffic.     Skill Drill held for NCSP & 5 NPS personnel on a new technique for foot entrapment when both rescuers are on the same side of the river. Also reviewed Hydrology "Using the rivers force".

Sat Aug 15 - 12 volunteers  formed 2 patrols for Skinners and Cedar/Shohola. river was at 5.3 ft
                    
Sun Aug 16 - 8 volunteers fielded 2 patrols for Skinners and Staircase to Matamoras river was at 5.1 ft weather was warm and traffic light 

Saturday Aug 29 - Some 7 volunteers performed two patrols; Cedar /Shohola and Staircase to Matamoras.  River level rose slowly to over 4 ft during this cloudy & rainy day. Traffic was light and PFD
wearing was generally good, with some encouragement.
 
Sunday Aug 30 - A good turnout of 11 volunteers performed 2 patrol over the same areas as Saturday. River rose to 4.4 ft and the temp to 80 degrees. Light traffic. Held a mini skill drill with Mike & Dick showing 3 new techniques. The volunteers were encouraged to practice the new techniques during the day on patrol.  All attendees were informed of the proposed rule for PFD wearing at river level of 6 ft or higher. NCSP
supports the proposed rule and will have reps at the Sept 3 meeting.

Sat, Sept. 5 - Some 10 volunteers formed 3 patrols at Skinners, Cedar/Shohola and Staircase to Matamoras. The river was at 3.7 feet with sunny weather. River traffic got heavier as the day progressed. PFD wear was about 85% for those entering Skinners Falls. At Butlers, a raft got caught in a drifting strainer/tree, but Jim Schmidt attached a line and pulled the raft and occupants from the snag.
 
Sun, Sept 6 - Eleven volunteers conducted 3 patrols at Skinners, Cedar/Shohola and Staircase to Mattamoras. River level was 3.5 ft in sunny weather. The team at Skinners reacted to an overturned canoe and reached a none PFD wearing occupant as he was struggling to stay afloat. The Shohola patrol directed a group in a deflating raft to the NPS access and the livery responded to the scene. With the sunny weather, PFD wear was spotty.
 
Mon, Sept 7 - Four volunteers ran 2 patrols at Cedar/Shohola and Staircase to Matamoras. River was at 3.4 ft in overcast conditions. Traffic was generally light on Labor Day
 
  The numbers are still being tallied, but 2009 saw a strong and constant turn out of NCSP volunteers. My great appreciation to all those who took the time for training as swell as dedicated service!
 
Dick