By: Stephen Chuckra
The days are cooler in early fall, and I enjoy putting in extra time riding my bike on the D&L trails. I especially like the section between Glen Onoko and Rockport. Cool mornings are perfect for going on long rides and seeing parts of the Lehigh River that many people never view. Fall is a great time of year to see deer, bear, and snakes: copperheads and rattlesnakes are common sights on sunny days.
Black bears tend to travel the river's banks in the early morning, and snakes frequently warm themselves in the sun around lunchtime. Wildlife is noticeably more present now that the summer temperatures and crowds are tapering off. I'm tempted to fish some of the beautiful areas that the D&L Trail provides access to, and I am waiting for daytime water temperatures to cool below 70 degrees.
Summer 2020 was sweltering, and people took to both the D&L Trails and Lehigh River en masse. A lot of the increased recreational attention was the result of COVID 19. Many flocked to the outdoors as an alternative to activities spent near others. I certainly noticed more people than I usually do and more trash, including lots of COVID 19 masks.
I also noticed that the Lehigh River gets used harder and harder each summer. The resulting fluctuations in river flow were very conspicuous from the trails along the river. Weekend flows were frequently high and brown, while some of the forks in the Lehigh were nearly dry during the week. I can't help wonder what effect the higher water temperatures and lower flows had on trout.
It's worth mentioning that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did a good job maintaining minimum flow levels of over 200 CFS at the Whitehaven gauge station this summer. The lower flows I mention were the result of diminished water levels in the Lehigh's tributaries.
Using the D&L and Lehigh River for recreational purposes prompts many of us to think about these tremendous resources' importance. It's vitally important to support organizations that improve and preserve the Lehigh River, as well as the recreational opportunities it provides. Active involvement is crucial now because there may be changes to the Lehigh River Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) due to the F.E. Walter Re-evaluation Study. The FFMP provides water management guidelines for the Lehigh River, including minimum flow limits for fishery enhancement and water releases for rafting. These guidelines are essential to the fishery and the economic health of our area.
That being said, it's almost impossible not to enjoy yourself while you are at the Lehigh River. When I ride along the D&L, I frequently hear sounds and smell things that remind me of the history I have with the Lehigh and similar rivers. Cicadas' sound and the aroma of creosote-soaked railroad ties often conjures up memories of fishing trips spent with family and friends.
I habitually used the railroad bed along the river for fishing access when I was younger. I enjoyed walking along the railroad tracks on hot summer evenings, marveling at how the heat distortion made them appear to crumple and straighten as I went along. Every step I took helped to fill my head with thoughts of caddis hatches and trout. I frequently sweat through my clothes on those sojourns, often wondering why I chose to wear wading boots on such warm days. Perhaps I wore the boots to feel the sense of relief the cool water provided after walking a mile or so over a sun-baked railroad bed. I remember one evening in particular when the access area near Hayes Creek was choked full of fireflies. There were so many fireflies, my father and I didn't need flashlights to navigate our way to the car on what would have otherwise been a very dark trail. Memories like that and of adventures past and pending are excellent reasons to be involved with Lehigh River issues, especially those that have the potential to change what is currently a wonderful yet very fragile place.