Hurricane Irene: On the eve of August 27^th, 2011 Hurricane Irene began raining down hell on the region altering the landscape forever.  River flows recorded at the USGS Coldbrook Gaging Station reached historic portions of 75,850 cfs; over a foot of rain fell during a single twenty-four hour period.  The 1895 Nissen Bridge at Coldbrook was carried off its abutments; the Trestle upstream of the Chimney Hole was also demolished.  Homes were destroyed, roads washed out, bridges carted away.  This storm felt its mark upon the region, almost crushing its spirit.

Below are two paintings that were donated to the Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited for their 2011 and 2012 annual fund raisers to help solicit monies in support of regional stream conservation.  These landscapes were forevermore changed by Hurricane Irene.

The Trestle, Esopus Creek, 11x14 (DtC):

Croldbrook Bridge, Esopus Creek, 11x14 (DtC):

The 1895 steel bridge above, that once crossed the Esopus Creek at Coldbrook, was also known as the Nissen Bridge