Winter 2014

Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Newsletter

A quarterly publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County Esopus - Broadstreet Hollow - Woodland Valley - Stony Clove - Fox Hollow - Birch Creek - Beaverkill - Little Beaverkill - Peck Hollow- Bushnellsville - Bush Kill

Flowing Through Time: AWSMP Announces its 5th Annual Ashokan Watershed Conference on April 5th

The have provided us with a rich history, lore, and legacy. Native Americans found magic here, and early European settlers discovered flora, fauna, and enough resources to sustain them for generations. Various industries thrived from logging, tanning, glass making, and Inside this Issue farming . . .all utilizing our Main Feature 1 natural resources, and most importantly using the clean, Upcoming Events 2 clear waters from our excep- Recent Events 3 tional streams.

John Burroughs, the most Featured Stream 4 respected naturalist and essayist, ence organized by the Ashokan educator and historian who wrote & Science Article next to Henry David Thoreau, Watershed Stream Management a column for the Catskill Mountain Recreation Article 6 Program (AWSMP). Flowing News called, “A Catskill Catalog,” described a local creek . . . “only in such remote woods can you now Through Time: Streams and Catskill will discuss the cultural develop- Help with Buffers 7 see a brook in all its original Mountain Communities is the title of ment of our region. His presenta- freshness and beauty. . . An ideal the fifth annual educational event. tion on the social history of the Announcements 8 trout brook was this, now hurry- The daylong conference will Ashokan Watershed will give us an ing, now loitering, now deepening explore the natural and cultural opportunity to learn about the around a great boulder, now history of this most extraordinary area from the early communities gliding evenly over a pavement of area. Experts will present a and valley’s settlers to the impact green-grey stone and pebbles; no diverse approach, examining the building the had We’re on the web! sediment or stain of any kind, but history and folklore of our region, on the region. Special focus will be www.ashokanstreams.org the relevance of past and current paid to streams and land use white and sparkling as snow- water, and nearly as cool. Indeed, stream management approaches, patterns — where and why the water of all this Catskill region issues with climate change, and communities flourished and Ashokan Stream is the best in the world.” other topics of interest to resi- implications for that develop- Management Program 6375 Rt. 28 A historical look at our Catskill dents, municipal officials, and the ment now, in light of the threat Phoenicia, NY 12464 community. of climate change. streams will be the theme of the phone: 845-688-3047 2014 Ashokan Watershed Confer- Bill Birns, PhD, a writer, ...continued on the next page fax: 845-688-3130

Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County online at: www.cceulster.org or email [email protected] ...Watershed Conference continued from page 1 Upcoming Events

Bill will talk about the role of the Upper The afternoon offers choices from Esopus in the American Revolution, and the three different tracts: March Catskills as the birthplace of a unique  For residents who want to learn how to The State Floodplain and school of American arts and letters. The read flood maps and interpret flood Stormwater Managers Association works of the School of insurance rate maps (FIRMS), Brent will hold their annual meeting from painters and the Catskill-centric stories of Gotsch, educator from the AWSMP will March 25-27 at the Poughkeepsie Washington Irving and James Fenimore spend time with a hands-on approach to Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie, NY. Cooper are examples of how this region The AWSMP has awarded grants for flood maps. influenced American culture with lasting area municipal officials to attend and impact today.  A second tract given by meteorologist obtain or renew their Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Bill will also touch upon the Catskills as Stephen DiRienzo, from the National certification. the home of innovation in science, technol- Weather Service Forecast Office in Albany, ogy, industry, and tourism, — and, of NY will be a training on the meteorological April course, the birthplace of American fly- factors affecting extreme weather, the The 5th Annual Ashokan Watershed history of big storms, and unique character- fishing Conference will be held on Saturday istics of the Catskills that influence precipi- Other presentations will cover climate April 5 at the Ashokan Center in and hydrology, and stream management. tation patterns. Olivebridge, NY. This year’s theme is Allan Frei, PhD, a climatologist at the City  A stream experts panel will be available Flowing Through Time: Streams and University of New York, Hunter College, to answer your questions regarding the Catskill Mountain Communities and will feature topics related to the cultural will present on Climate Change and functions and management of local streams history of the watershed, the Hydrology, including his relevant research and how to protect property. evolution of stream management about the frequency and impact of extreme The afternoon ends with choices for a practices, and climate change. weather on water resources in the New guided nature/stream walk, or a very Registration begins March 1. Please York City watershed. special slideshow on the Hudson River visit our website, or call the AWSMP Roy Schiff, PhD, PE, water resource office for more details. School of Landscape Painting. Nature scientist and engineer with Milone & writers Ed and Judy Van Put will offer an in May-June MacBroom, Inc. will present on Stream depth look at early American artists and Management: History, Trends, and Future Look for future announcements of a their work inspired by explorations of the Direction. We will learn how streams spring creek walk and talk. streams of the Catskills and the Ashokan/ physically work to transport water, sedi- Esopus watershed. These artists contribut- Public and volunteer events will be ment, and woody debris and how this ed some of the most important landscapes scaled back this year until we can understanding has evolved. We will also ever to be seen. Their art encouraged replace the Community Educator hear what is current in river corridor position formerly held by Gretchen others to seek out the natural beauty found planning and look at case studies of stream Rae. However, we plan to attend and in the Catskills. . .with its flowing rivers, management projects from the State of hope to see you at summer fairs and streams and waterfalls. Vermont; a region with a similar topogra- festivals around the watershed. The conference will take place Saturday, phy, geology, and land-use history to the April 5, 2014 at the Ashokan Center in Catskills. Olivebridge, NY. There will be a $10 per Check the AWSMP’s website Roy will speak about watershed partner- person fee which includes lunch and www.ashokanstreams.org for more ships such as the Ashokan Watershed refreshments. For information on how to information about events and programs, Stream Management Program that are register please visit or follow us on Facebook! working to recover from past mistakes, as www.ashokanstreams.org. Online registra- the climate and hydrology of the watershed tion begins March 1st. have changed.

Page 2 Recent Events in the Ashokan Watershed

October training was taught by the engineering firm Staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Milone & MacBroom, Inc. HEC-RAS is a Ulster County with assistance from Student software program originally developed by Conservation Association (SCA) interns the Army Corps of Engineers to help deter- held a stream table demonstration at the mine surface water elevations. It allows Emerson Resort and Spa in Mount Tremper, users to input data and then virtually manip- NY as part of the Emerson’s Fall Festival ulate physical conditions to determine how on October 12. changes in the landscape or infrastructure influence flood elevations. For example, this November program is useful in determine if resizing or Throughout the month of November, staff removing a bridge will significantly reduce from Cornell Cooperative Extension of flood inundation levels. These analyses are Ulster County worked with a professional used to determine whether projects meet videographer to record a series of inter- cost-benefit criteria. DEP plans to offer the Above: Professional videographer Jessica Vecchione views with stream managers and local lead- HEC-RAS training to local and county staff of Vecc Videography films an interview with Deron ers about stream best management practic- in 2014. es (BMPs) and 2013 stream restoration Davis of USDA-NRCS on the site of a stream restora- tion project along Warner Creek. projects. The interviews were filmed on-site January near an example of the stream BMP. Other On January 21, the Rondout-Neversink topics covered local history and fisheries. Stream Management Program (AWSMP’s After the AWSMP Stakeholder Council After editing, the interviews will be pro- sister program in Sullivan County) in con- voted its approval, the AWSMP announced duced into short videos used individually for junction with the Catskill Region Invasive stream implementation grant awards total- training and posted online for educational Species Partnership (CRISP) hosted a Hem- ing nearly $244,000. Grants awarded by purposes. lock Wooly Adelgid Summit at the category: $6,821 Education & Outreach; The Catskill Stream Buffer Initiative’s largest Frost Valley YMCA. Hemlock wooly adelgid $77,000 Planning; $60,000 Research & fall planting in the watershed was installed at is an invasive species that is decimating Monitoring; $100,000 Streamside Infrastruc- the stream restoration project site on native hemlock trees across the Catskill ture. Warner Creek off Silver Hollow Road in region. During this meeting, researchers and Chichester, Almost 1,200 plants will be scientists from Cornell University, the March installed. National Park Service, and the US Forest AWSMP worked with the NYSDEC to Service presented the latest research on In partnership with the Town of Shandaken, organize a Floodplain Mapping Fundamentals this pest and potential chemical and biologi- AWSMP began its third major stream resto- training sessions for community, regional cal controls to help check its spread. ration project in 2013. The project is ap- and county officials on March 4 in Kingston. proximately 1,000-ft upstream of the Silver February Hollow Road bridge at the confluence of Ongoing On February 5, staff from Cornell Coopera- Stony Clove Creek and Warner Creek in AWSMP staff have attended weekly meet- tive Extension assisted NYSDEC, FEMA, and Chichester. Work is currently suspended ings of the NY Rising Community Recon- the consulting firm Dewberry with a Flood until weather conditions improve. struction committee for the Town of Shan- Map Open House held at the Woodstock daken and Hardenburgh to be available for AWSMP announced the latest round of Fire District Hall. Residents from the water- questions related to stream management Stream Management Implementation Pro- shed came to speak with agency representa- practices. The program also recently met gram grant funding due November 27. tives about property questions, the new with the Town of Olive to discuss flood December preliminary flood maps, and changes to mitigation actions. AWSMP staff attended HEC-RAS training flood insurance rates. hosted by NYC DEP in mid-December. The Page 3 Featured Stream and Science: Warner Creek

We can learn a lot from streams. Through careful study we can understand how they function, and how we might better live alongside them. This is especially important during this period of frequent big floods. Many of our Catskill streams are damaged from the floods of the last few years and will be recovering for years to come. Under the right conditions streams have the capacity to self-heal, and often do. However, there are many instances when streams can benefit from some restorative treatment after scientifically informed design. In this article we intend to combine two subjects we often report on separately in this newsletter: an introduction to one of the watershed’s streams and a discussion on applying stream science. Warner Creek is a 9-mile long stream flowing through a long, narrow, steep valley called Silver Hollow that covers just about 9 square miles (Figures 1 and 2). The stream originates in a joining of tumbling brooks on the forested slopes of Plateau Mountain in Greene County and ends as a full-fledged mountain creek merging with Stony Clove Creek in Ulster Figure 1. Map of the Warner Creek watershed County. Along the way, this stream flows past remote hemlock groves that line red bedrock bluffs of sediment left behind during the ice age; after floodwaters recede. This stream came to channels; past a ranch on the broad valley floor and finally meanders into a more gentle open our attention in early January 2010 when of Silver Hollow notch; over cascading white valley that people have occupied for at least 200 turbidity increased multifold after the first of water reaches of car-sized boulders; past eroding years. many floods that year. Using a range of This stream, like assessment techniques we set out to better most Catskill understand Warner Creek in an effort to streams can be a develop management strategies that could help cool and soothing the stream recover. retreat on a hot Starting in 2010, AWSMP supported a three- summer day. Its year investigation of Warner Creek sponsored headwaters are by SUNY New Paltz. The college received a pristine and full of National Science Foundation grant to run a brook trout. But it Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) can also be a force program focused on watershed characterization. of nature that Students were competitively selected from destroys roads and around the country to participate in the eight- bridges in its path, week summer program. DEP geologist Danyelle and by the time it Davis mentored several students in how to reaches Stony Clove conduct stream geomorphology investigations of Creek, can have Warner Creek. The study period coincided with elevated turbidity several large flood events including the record (muddy, or not clear flooding of Tropical Storm Irene. This gave Figure 2. Warner Creek in the Silver Hollow watershed looking north to Plateau water) for weeks students the chance to study the impacts of Mountain. Page 4 ….Continued on next page flooding on channel geomorphology. Fortunately, we were able to A first step in stream assessment is accounting repeat assessments of Warner for the water flowing in the channel. Stream gages Creek through the partnership are used to continually measure the flow of water with SUNY New Paltz. passing a specific location along the stream. With Repeat assessments focused enough measurements, we can determine the on the lower 10,000 feet of stream’s hydrology – how much water is delivered Warner Creek where the by the watershed, and how it is delivered. There is no majority of the people live. In long-term gage on Warner Creek, so we used the 2012, 38% of the streambanks downstream Stony Clove Creek gage in were actively eroding. The Chichester to characterize the hydrology. The result of this erosion was gage logged seven floods from 2010 to 2012 with “entrainment” of a large volume the potential to erode the stream channel and of sediment in the water adjacent land. column. The eroded silt and Figure 3. Headcut on Warner Creek just above the confluence with We also evaluate water quality, especially clay stayed in suspension, Stony Clove Creek. important since these streams help supply drinking increasing the stream’s turbidity, water to over 9 million New Yorkers. One of the while the larger-sized sediment formed or project to remove the channel away from the biggest threats to the drinking water supply is expanded depositional bars that in places biggest and most chronic source of turbidity in the turbidity from suspended sediment resulting from enhanced adjacent streambank erosion. The REU Warner Creek watershed. This project was the erosion of silt and clay within the stream students completed geologic mapping and completed in 2013 and we hope that chronic channel. By measuring turbidity and hydrology we chemical analysis that indicated thick layers of silt turbidity was reduced for the foreseeable future. evaluate if a stream is only episodically a source of and clay once deposited at the bottom of ancient Ongoing water quality monitoring will reveal the turbidity, or a chronic source indicating that glacial lakes were the principal source of outcome. The other site is the most significant something is amiss. Recent investigations by the sediments generating turbidity. Contact with this headcut observed in the Stony Clove watershed. United States Geological Survey have source material was more common in the study Following Irene and Lee flooding in 2011, the demonstrated that the Stony Clove watershed is area than the undeveloped upper reaches of streambed just above the confluence with Stony proportionally the largest supplier of turbid water Warner Creek. This refined our focus on where Clove Creek dropped at least 10 feet within a in the Ashokan Watershed. Warner Creek has to consider treatment to reduce turbidity. distance of about 10 feet! (Figure 3) The cut ran been one of the chronic sources of this turbidity. One of the many triggers for streambank deep into glacial deposits and threatened to lower The core of our assessment work is erosion is the abrupt lowering of the streambed the streambed for a great distance upstream, characterizing the physical stream channel. We elevation at headcuts. We observed several which in turn would destabilize many measure the stream’s shape with high precision locations where the streambed dropped several streambanks, entrain more sediment, and most survey equipment. The physical shape of the stream feet in a very short distance, often cutting into the likely undermine Silver Hollow road. A project to channel is called its morphology. The process of underlying glacial lake sediment. The headcuts restore streambed elevation and place barriers to how channels are formed and the range of moved upstream during the study, indicating a prevent headcut migration was started in fall 2013 morphology channels exhibit is referred to as systemic lowering of the streambed. When the and is expected to complete in 2014. We believe stream geomorphology. We map the channel degrades or deepens, the banks become these two treatments alone will reduce future distribution of important stream features such as unstable and are more prone to erosion with a turbidity from this watershed. streambank erosion, sudden drops in streambed consequent increase in sediment load. We were Through comprehensive studies of Warner elevation called headcuts, gravel and cobble witnessing a stream going through a very active Creek we have learned a lot about stream process accumulations called depositional bars, collections period of adjustment in response to an abrupt and recovery following big floods and have of large woody debris, changes in stream channel change in hydrology. One implication is that any hopefully taken some corrective actions that can geology, and places where people have attempted stream restoration project for this stream must help accelerate the stream’s recovery. to stop erosion by lining the banks with rocks. be designed to withstand increasingly erosive The REU studies have been presented at professional Mapping the stream’s geomorphic features along floods, potential destabilizing headcuts, and geology conferences and the 2012 Catskill its length reveals patterns of erosion and sediment loads delivered from upstream eroding Environmental Research Monitoring conference. deposition. If assessments are repeated, we can banks. Several presentations are available at see how the channel responds to specific events We identified two locations that merited www.ashokanstreams.org under the Publications and Resources menu for a more in-depth look at the and determine whether the channel morphology is treatment as soon as possible. One was featured student’s work. in balance with surrounding conditions. in the previous issue of News – a Page 5 Recreation in the Watershed: Riparian Birding

Some birds are found more abundantly or exclusively in stream corridors. The Ashokan watershed’s natural areas and public lands offer great opportunities for riparian bird watching! A diversity of food sources and habitat makes stream BIRDS OF RIPARIAN WOODLANDS corridors prime birding areas. Insects are plentiful near streams, as are berry and seed-producing plants. Birds may nest along streams on erosional bluffs, and in Yellow-breasted Chat; Yellow-billed wetlands, cavity trees, large forested tracts, and patches of shrub or grassland. Cuckoo; Willow Flycatcher; Veery; Studies have shown that vegetated riparian buffers extending at least 500 feet from Warbling Vireo; Yellow-throated Vireo; the stream may protect up to 95% of the bird species present. Narrow buffers are Yellow Warbler; Canada Warbler; habitat for edge species like Song Sparrow and Northern Cardinal. Cerulean Warbler; Louisiana Waterthrush; Eastern Wood-Pewee

Cerulean Warbler are most commonly in tracts with mature hardwoods and a high, variably closed canopy. Known to occur in riparian forests with tall sycamores or cottonwoods, and in red-maple swamps, and lake margins.

Yellow Warbler breed in shrubby thickets and woods, particularly along watercourses and in wetlands.

Photo Credit: Kelly Azar Louisiana Waterthrush is the only obligate riparian songbird species east of the Mississippi; they depend on small streams in mature forest for foraging and nesting.

BIRDS THAT NEST IN BANKS close to water. They may also use upturned roots, shady rocky shorelines, or even the undersides of bridges.

Willow Flycatcher nesting sites must have a high Bank Swallow; Northern Rough-winged water table and are usually within close Swallow; Belted Kingfisher proximity of water. Its preferred habitat has dense vegetation, such as dense growths of willows or other shrubs and medium-sized trees.

Sources: New York State Breeding Bird Atlas Birds in Forested Landscapes, Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Page 6 Bank Swallow WHERE TO LOOK FOR RIPARIAN BIRDS IN THE ASHOKAN Help with Buffers WATERSHED:

Birch Creek, Shandaken Wild Forest, Do you own streamside property in the Lower Birch Creek Road Parcel Ashokan Watershed? (NYSDEC) - Wheelchair accessible trail around small pond off Lower Birch Are you worried about bank erosion? Creek Rd. Have you recently done work on your Rochester Hollow (NYSDEC) – Hiking streambank? trail off Matyas Rd. Wood Duck thrive in bottomland forests, swamps, Are you planning on doing stream work marshes and beaver ponds. Found along streams of Kanape Brook, Sundown Wild Forest this summer during the construction all sizes. (NYSDEC) - Hiking trail off Watson season? Hollow Rd. (Cty Rt 42). Nesting WATERFOWL are found in stream Wittenberg Unit (NYCDEP) - http:// Would you like a qualified professional areas and are vulnerable to human www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/maps/ to help diagnose your stream problems Wittenberg.pdf - Hunting, hiking and disturbance. Most waterfowl species depend and determine a sustainable solution? fishing area with meadow/open field near on wetlands or adjacent uplands for nesting stream. Perhaps, your streamside area is in good and foraging. condition and you want to maintain it or American Black Duck; Canada Goose; West Shokan Unit (NYCDEP) - http:// www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/maps/ improve it for wildlife habitat? Mallard; Blue-winged Teal; Wood Duck West_Shokan.pdf - Hiking area (access If you have answered yes to any of permit needed) along headwaters of these questions, you may qualify GREAT BLUE HERON and GREEN HERON Bridal Veil Creek with beautiful beaver wetland meadow at southern end. for a project under the Catskill are seen foraging in streams and heron Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI). colonies are usually near water. Belleayre Beach Lake (Town) - http:// The CSBI program is now accept- www.belleayre.com/summer/lake.htm - Along Birch Creek, good for viewing ing applications for the 2014 sea- kingfishers, osprey, hawks after-hours or son. before/after summer season. Call the AWSMP’s CSBI program at Shandaken Tunnel Portal (NYCDEP) – (845) 688-3047 for help. No public access to stream, but bald eagles often perch on trees along the The CSBI program in the Ashokan Wa- Esopus Creek just down from the outlet. tershed was busy in 2013. Working with private landowners, CSBI is working to Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (NYSDEC) – Campground with hiking restore the many important riparian trails off Wittenberg Rd. buffer functions that are essential along our streams and rivers. A total of 1,850 Ashokan Reservoir (NYCDEP) – trees and shrubs were planted for pri- Walkways along the Reservoir are a great place to view bald eagles year- vate landowners at 7 project sites in the round, accessible by walkers, bicycles towns of Shandaken, Woodstock, and and wheelchairs. Olive. In addition, approximately 2,500 Red-shouldered Hawk native willows were installed as live BIRDS OF PREY most commonly associated Landowners who restore or protect stakes in areas that would not support with the Ashokan reservoir and stream riparian buffers are also protecting our containerized plant material. Two addi- corridors are Bald Eagle, Osprey and Red- feathered neighbors. To provide the tional projects to control Japanese shouldered Hawk. These birds forage for fish, highest quality habitat for riparian birds, Knotweed, an aggressive invasive plant, reptiles and amphibians in wet areas, and nest landowners should seek to establish or were started at upstream source loca- maintain a riparian forest buffer of native on adjacent uplands. tions covering over 10,000 square feet. species.

Page 7 Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Non-Profit Organization 232 Plaza Road PAID Kingston, NY 12401 Permit No.1 Kingston, NY 12401

Announcements: CERM Conference Scheduled for Fall 2014

Every other year, a group of partners from NYSDEC, NYC DEP, NYSERDA, USGS, NYS Museum, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Syra- cuse University, Bard College, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, the Catskill Institute for the Environment, the Ashokan Center and other area agencies and environmental non-profits come together to host the Catskill Environmental Re- search and Monitoring (CERM) Conference. The CERM Conference brings together scientists and researchers from an array of disciplines to pre- 6375 Rt. 28 sent and discuss studies conducted in the Catskill Phoenicia, NY 12464 Phone: (845) 688-3047 region.

Fax: (845) 688-3130 Past presentations have included discussions Free to residents by request. of Catskill forests, geology, invasive species, wa- Above: The USGS is conducting fisheries The information given herein is supplied with the ter quality, ecology, and climate change. Poster research in the Ashokan watershed. understanding that no discrimination is intended and presentations on these and other subjects are no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension is implied. also on display during the conference. The con- ber 23-24 at Belleayre Mountain. Please periodi- cally check the CERM webpage (http:// Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal ference is an excellent opportunity for profes- employment and sionals and researchers to network. Even for the www.bard.edu/cep/programs/catskill/) for updates program opportunities. non-researchers amongst us, the conference is an and registration information. If you are interested Editors opportunity to learn about the latest research in presenting at the conference, contact Steven Brent Gotsch, CCE Ulster County going on in our own backyards. Parisio at [email protected]. The dead- Leslie Zucker, CCE Ulster County This year’s conference will be held on Octo- line for abstracts is September 12, 2014. Page 8