{{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox river | name = Neversink River | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = Neversink River at Oakland Valley, NY.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_caption = The Neversink at Oakland Valley | map = Neversinkrivermap.png | map_size = 300px | map_caption = The Neversink and its two branches | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = 300px | pushpin_map_caption= <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[United States]] | subdivision_type2 = State | subdivision_name2 = [[New York (state)|New York]] | subdivision_type3 = [[County (United States)|Counties]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Orange County, New York|Orange]], [[Sullivan County, New York|Sullivan]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = City | subdivision_name5 = [[Port Jervis, New York|Port Jervis]] <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = {{convert|55|mi|km|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= [[Godeffroy, New York|Godeffroy, NY]] | discharge1_min = {{convert|32|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} | discharge1_avg = {{convert|463|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} | discharge1_max = {{convert|33000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} | discharge2_location= [[Neversink, New York|Claryville]] | discharge2_min = | discharge2_avg = {{convert|174|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} | discharge2_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = [[East Branch Neversink River]] | source1_location = S of [[mountain pass|col]] between [[Slide Mountain (Ulster County, New York)|Slide]] and [[Cornell Mountain|Cornell]] mountains, [[Shandaken, New York|Town of Shandaken]], [[Ulster County, New York|Ulster County]] | source1_coordinates= {{coord|41|59|40|N|74|22|21|W|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|2960|ft|abbr=on}} | source2 = [[West Branch Neversink River]] | source2_location = NW slope of Slide Mountain, [[Shandaken, New York|Town of Shandaken]] | source2_coordinates= {{coord|42|00|19|N|74|23|29|W|display=inline}} | source2_elevation = {{convert|3480|ft|abbr=on}} | source_confluence = | source_confluence_location = S of Claryville, [[Sullivan County, New York|Sullivan County]] | source_confluence_coordinates= {{coord|41|54|57|N|74|34|29|W|display=inline}} | source_confluence_elevation = {{convert|1600|ft|abbr=on}} | mouth = [[Delaware River]] | mouth_location = [[Port Jervis, New York|Port Jervis]], [[Orange County, New York|Orange County]] | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|41|21|24|N|74|41|43|W|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|400|ft|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|435|sqmi|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}
The '''Neversink River''' (also called '''Neversink Creek''' in its upper course) is a {{convert|55|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed April 1, 2011</ref> tributary of the [[Delaware River]] in southeastern [[New York (state)|New York]] in the [[United States]]. The name of the river comes from the name of the indigenous [[Lenape]] [[Navesink people]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bright |first= William |title= Native American Placenames of the United States |publisher= University of Oklahoma Press |date= 2004 |page= 318 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA318 |access-date= 19 October 2025}}</ref>
The Neversink River is considered by many to be the birthplace of American [[dry fly fishing]].<ref name=legendary>Askins, Justin. ''The Legendary Neversink: A Treasury of the Best Writing About One of America's Great Trout Rivers'', Skyhorse Publishing, 2007, page xv</ref>
==Course== [[File:Confluence of east and west branches of Neversink River.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Confluence of east and west branches near Claryville]]
The Neversink's main flow begins just south of the border between present-day [[Ulster County, New York|Ulster]] and [[Sullivan County, New York|Sullivan]] [[County (United States)|counties]], where the east and west branches of the river join near the [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] of [[Claryville, New York|Claryville]]. Both branches begin on the slopes of [[Slide Mountain (Ulster County, New York)|Slide Mountain]], the highest peak in the [[Catskill Mountains|Catskills]]. The west branch is joined by several major tributaries, such as Biscuit Brook and Pigeon Creek at [[Frost Valley YMCA]] in the town of Denning, Ulster County. In its upper course, it is a rocky and wild stream, ideal for trout fishing. But, most of the land around it is privately owned and not open to fishermen.
It flows generally southwest through the mountains. Not far downriver from the confluence in [[Neversink, New York|Neversink]], it is impounded to form the [[Neversink Reservoir]] of the New York City Water Supply System. It is connected by a {{convert|5|mi|adj=on|0}} [[Water tunnel (physical infrastructure)|water tunnel]] to [[Rondout Reservoir]], and subsequently to the [[Delaware Aqueduct]]. Development of the Neversink Reservoir resulted in the displacement of many locals, as several towns along the river were flooded to make the reservoir. New York City paid for their relocation. [[File:Mouth of the Neversink River at Delaware River confluence and NJ-NY-PA tripoint.jpg|thumb|left|Mouth of the Neversink]] It flows through the town of [[Fallsburg, New York|Fallsburg]], the hamlets of [[Woodbourne, New York|Woodbourne]], [[Fallsburg (CDP), New York|Fallsburg]], [[South Fallsburg, New York|South Fallsburg]], and Old Falls. It enters the town of Thompson near [[Bridgeville, New York|Bridgeville]]; [[New York State Route 17]]/[[Interstate 86 (east)|Interstate 86]] cross it at Exit 107. The Holiday Mountain Ski Area was developed near the river. Southern Sullivan County has less developed country, and the river passes over its largest waterfalls, Denton Falls and High Falls in the [[Neversink Gorge]]. It flows southeastward into western [[Orange County, New York|Orange County]]. Near [[Cuddebackville, New York|Cuddebackville]], it is joined from the northeast by Basher Kill, then flows southwest. [[U.S. Route 209|US 209]] runs parallel to the river, which joins the [[Delaware River]] at [[Port Jervis, New York|Port Jervis]]. At this confluence with the Delaware, the [[Tri-States Monument]] marks the tripoint of the borders of New York, [[New Jersey]], and [[Pennsylvania]]; [[Interstate 84 (east)|Interstate 84]] bridge passes over this point.<ref name=njgs>{{cite web |url=http://www.njgeology.org/enviroed/newsletter/v2n2.pdf |title= Sentinels at the Northern Border |first=Bill |last=Graff |format= pdf|work= Unearthing New Jersey Vol. 2, No. 2 | date=Summer 2006 |publisher=New Jersey Geological Survey}}</ref>
==Recreation== Along much of its length, the Neversink is a popular [[trout]] stream, mostly north of Woodbourne. In addition to [[rainbow trout]], it sustains [[brown trout]], [[brook trout]] and the rare [[tiger trout]]. In the 1890s [[Theodore Gordon]] expertly matched dry fishing flies to actual insects. Edward Ringwood Hewitt conducted research on insect and flies from his property above the town of Neversink. Their work led to the river gaining a reputation as birthplace of American dry fly fishing.<ref name=legendary/> The river is home to other fish species such as [[smallmouth bass]], [[carp]], [[Catostomidae|sucker]], [[bluegill]], [[American eel]], and lampreys; and a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Other forms of recreation are rarely pursued on the river. Several swimming holes are available; however, many are on private property or restricted public property. The relative narrow nature of the river is not hospitable to boating. The river is mostly navigable with small watercraft from near its dam in Hasbrouck to its mouth; however, it is seldom traveled.
==History== [[File:NJ-NY-PA Tri-States Monument - looking southwest.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|The [[Tri-States Monument]] at the confluence of the Neversink with the Delaware]]
The [[Delaware & Hudson Canal]] crossed the river at [[Cuddebackville, New York|Cuddebackville]] by an early [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct bridge]] designed by [[John Roebling]] and built in 1851.
In the late 19th century the river was said to have been navigable to Claryville, where a tannery operated. The river provided a transportation waterway for the tannery's products as well as smaller steam-propelled vessels.
In heavy rains the Neversink River sometimes floods near its mouth at the Delaware River. This occurred most recently in April 2005, causing some destruction and dislocation in the Port Jervis area. The Myers Grove community near [[Huguenot, Orange County, New York|Huguenot]] was particularly affected. In addition, heavy rains, in combination with an extended period of unusually warm weather after a moderate to heavy winter with a considerable snowpack, can produce devastating floods at the headwaters of the river from January to April. The snowpack melt increases the volume in the river at the same time as rain.
A detailed history of the river can be found in James Eldrige Quinlan's ''History of Sullivan County'', published in 1873.
==Tributaries== {{div col}} *[[Basha Kill]] *[[Sheldrake Stream]] *[[Eden Brook]] *[[Mullet Brook]] *[[Monell Brook]] {{div col end}}
==See also== *[[Cuddebackville Dam]] *[[List of crossings of the Neversink River]] *[[List of New York rivers]] *[[Neversink Preserve]]
==References== ;Notes {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.bridgemeister.com/bridge.php?bid=36 1851 Neversink Aqueduct] *[http://www.neversinkmuseum.org/new/ The Neverskink Valley Area Museum]{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081211152224/http://www.canalmuseum.org/museum.htm D&H Canal Historical Society] *{{cite web|url= https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1319/pdf/OFR2006-1319_Neversink_report.pdf |title=USGS Report, Flood of April 2–3, 2005, Neversink River Basin }} {{small|(17.3 MB)}}
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[[Category:Neversink River| ]] [[Category:Rivers of New York (state)]] [[Category:Catskill/Delaware watersheds]] [[Category:Rivers of Orange County, New York]] [[Category:Rivers of Sullivan County, New York]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Sullivan County, New York]] [[Category:Tributaries of the Delaware River]]