Work Begins on Kittatinny Point Boat Launch Replacement

Date: November 3, 2015
Contact: Kristy Boscheinen, Chief, Special Projects Division, [phone]

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Superintendent John J. Donahue announced today that the launch for motorized boats at Kittatinny Point will be replaced this fall. Construction is expected to take approximately one month to complete. The recreation site at Kittatinny Point will remain open during construction, including the existing kayak and canoe launch that is several hundred feet upriver from the motorized boat launch. The boat launch repairs are being funded through the Middle Delaware Mitigation Fund.

Severe flooding associated with several hurricanes between 2004 and 2006 badly damaged the motorized boat launch at Kittatinny Point resulting in its closure. Kittatinny Point has long been one of the most heavily used recreation sites in the park due to its location within the spectacular Delaware Water Gap and because of the hiking, picnicking, and boating opportunities located nearby. “Fishing is a very popular activity in the park,” said Superintendent Donahue. “We look forward to once again providing access to the deepest section of river within the park for anglers and boaters.” There is limited access to this section of the river from other launch points. 

Ocean Construction, LLC of New Jersey is the contractor selected to complete the project. During construction they will remove the remnants of the old ramp, then place new, pre-fabricated “articulating concrete block” ramp in the same footprint. The sides of the ramp will be reinforced with stone, and it will be better able to withstand floods than the old ramp. 

The boat ramp repair project was initially designed in 2009 but the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area lacked the funding to do the repairs. Superintendent Donahue has decided to subsidize the project using “compensatory mitigation” funding from PPL and PSE&G’s Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line. The transmission line was constructed through the park during the last several years. “The transmission line had an impact on river users, including anglers, during active construction in 2013 and 2014 when we had to close the river several times for safety,” said Superintendent Donahue. “Repair of this ramp will be of great benefit to anglers, and we anticipate it will more than compensate for the impacts to them during construction. Replacing the motorized boat launch at Kittatinny Point has been a long time in coming and will be welcome by many.” Other large-scale projects being funded as compensatory mitigation through the transmission line’s “Middle Delaware Mitigation Fund” include the Historic Properties Management Plan, repairs to historic buildings, wetlands restoration, and the Visitor Use Management Plan.