Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles b) Northeastern Regional Profiles
The Northeastern Region identified for the Oneida County Hazard Mitigation Plan includes the following municipalities: The Town of Ava The Town and Village of Boonville The Town of Forestport The Town and Village of Remsen The Town of Steuben, and The Town of Western.
Northeastern Regional Map A
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Regional Map B: 2013 Land Use in the Northeastern Region
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Regional Map C: New parcels since 2007.
These communities tend to be dominated by rural landscapes and large wooded parcels. The region tends to be sparsely populated with an average population density of 36.5 persons per square mile with Ava at the low end of the spectrum at 17.95 and the Town of Boonville at the high end of the spectrum at 63.37. As a portion of the region is located within the Tughill Plateau, heavy rates of snowfall are not uncommon. While these communities tend to be well prepared for a snow storm that may cripple other areas, there is now also an awareness for the potential for severe damages from hurricanes, landslides and ice storms and severe storms. Flooding related to stormwater is an issue of concern in developed areas such as the Village of Remsen where widespread property damage has occurred on multiple occasions.
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Farm on Buck Hill Road in the Northeastern Region of Oneida County
Town of Ava: General Overview: The 37.7 rural square miles that comprise the Town of Ava are firmly situated in the physiographic region known as the Tug Hill Plateau of northern Oneida County. There are no villages or hamlets in the Town of Ava. However, residents find services in the hamlet of West Leyden in Lewis County, the Village of Boonville, a few miles east of Ava, and the Rome area. The Town of Ava is the least populated of all Oneida County's towns and, with only 18 people per square mile, has the lowest population density in the County. The Town's population of 676 is 15% lower than the 1990 Census. The population is relatively young with only 6% of the total comprised of senior citizens. Those living below the poverty level comprise only 6% of the population as well. Transportation: The Town of Ava is served by 73 miles of roads. Of these, 18.7 miles are County roads, 46.5 miles are local roads and nearly 8 miles are State roads. Land Use: While largely rural, only 7% of the town's parcels are classified as agricultural although a nearly 40% of the town's parcels are considered vacant land. An additional 40% are classified as residential properties albeit with large lots. The average lot size for the 319 parcels is over 60 acres. Over 2500 acres of County and State forestland are located in the Town of Ava as is Camp Kingsley, a property used by the Boy Scouts of America. County and State Forestland are precluded from private development but are usually accessible for public use. The main point of contention in Ava is the presence of the Oneida County landfill which comprises approximately
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles 1000 acres in the northeastern corner of the town. The site remains controversial in the region due to concerns related to traffic, wetlands, wildlife habitat, water contamination and forest conversion. Soils: One third of the soils in the Town of Ava are classified as Camroden Silt Loam. Camroden Silt Loam tends to be poorly drained and is associated with seasonally high water tables. These soils can be productive but are poorly drained and, therefore, limited by wetness. Approximately 23% of the soils in the Town are Pinckney Silt Loam. These soils are moderately well drained although they also are associated with a seasonally high water table. The limitation of these soils tends to be erodibility. Water Resources: Ava's landscape drains into three distinct watersheds. The western portion of the town drains to the Great Lakes via the East Branch of the Fish Creek. The eastern portion of the town drains to the Black River Watershed via Sugar Creek. The majority of the land drains to the Mohawk River Watershed and includes the West Branch of the Mohawk, including the Lansing Kill and Stringer Brook among other tributaries to the Delta Reservoir. In 2012, the Coalition of Conservation Districts in the Mohawk River Watershed conducted a watershed assessment of the sub-watersheds throughout the basin. The Lansing Kill and Stringer Brook were considered among the most pristine not only in Oneida County but in the entire basin. There is a 2000 acre unconsolidated aquifer mapped in the southern portion of the town. There are several areas of open water in the Town including over 3000 acres of wetlands. Residents in Ava are not particularly affected by flooding. Floodzones in the Town have been recently re-mapped in a joint project by FEMA and DEC. Maps show narrow riparian areas that are designated as floodzones amounting to approximately 321 acres. The floodzone is home to 4 mobile homes but this encompasses land only and not the structures. One new parcel was created in Ava since 2007 and none of this 65 acre piece is located in the floodzone. There is one dam in town that is a Class A hazard which is low risk for major damages. Two dams located in the Town of Lewis in Lewis County are worth noting based on proximity to the residents of Ava. The Lewis County dams are classified as A and D respectively, both low level concerns. Residents in the Town of Ava are not served by public water or sewer. Nearly the entire town contains soils which pose difficulties for septic systems, either due to soils with a fragipan where percolation is extremely slow, or due to soils which are too sandy or gravelly where there is danger of groundwater pollution. In addition, there are sizeable areas which would be extremely difficult or impossible to develop, primarily consisting of wetlands or steep slopes. Mitigation Strategies: • Create a community center as an emergency shelter and stock with adequate emergency supplies. • Control land use and density through zoning and subdivision regulations to prevent development in hazardous areas. • Ensure that all development has large enough lot size for adequate water supply and sewage disposal to prevent water supply contamination. • Develop a plan to assist the senior residents in maintaining safe households. • Restrict mining operations that may harm groundwater resources.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information: Planning Committee Contact: Supervisor James Ossont Municipal Office: 11468 State Route 26 Ava, New York 13303. Phone: 315-942-9669 Website: http://townofava.org/content.
Maps:
Photos:
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Land Use in the headwaters of the Mohawk Watershed in Ava near the border with Lewis County.
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Town of Boonville General Overview: The Town of Boonville, located along the northern border of Oneida County, comprises 71.9 square miles of land in the Tug Hill Region. While Boonville is near the Adirondack Park, it is not actually located within the Blue Line. However, Pixley Falls State Park, the Black River Canal, and Kayuta Lake offer both beautiful environs and abundant recreational opportunities. The Village of Boonville is centrally located within the Town. Town and Village offices are co-located and community officials cooperate on many projects. Boonville is the third largest municipality in the County based on land area and is home to 4,555 residents. Population density in the town is 63 persons per square mile. Seniors comprise 19% of the total population of Boonville. Children under the age of 5 represent 5% of all residents. Therefore, the combination of seniors and children under 5 means that 24% of the Town's population is vulnerable based on age. Residents living below the poverty level comprise 13% of the Town's residents. Dam failure on the Hawkinsville and Kayuta Lake structures creates a concern for localized flooding. The Edmonds Road area struggles with repeated flooding events on an annual basis. The potential for a spill of hazardous materials in transit is a concern related to the transport of materials to the Oneida Herkimer landfill. The entire town is at risk of ice storms, severe storms and winter storms as well as tornadoes and utility failures. Transportation: The Town of Boonville is served by 130 miles of roads. Of these approximately 18 miles are County roads, 25 miles are State Roads and the remaining 87 miles are local roads. There are nearly 10 miles of the Adirondack Mohawk and Northern's Lyons Falls line running roughly north south through the town and the Village of Boonville. The Black River Canal is an historic feature in the town. The 77-mile long Black River Canal was an engineering marvel of the 19th century. Built between 1837 and 1855, the Black River Canal ran uphill, connecting the waters of the Erie Canal with those of Black River. The southern section of the overland canal linked Rome and Boonville, a distance of 25 miles. Following the rugged Lansing Kill Gorge, this section of the canal rose 693 feet and required 70 locks. The northern section of the overland canal connected Boonville and Lyons Falls, a distance of 10 miles. This section of the canal descended 386 feet and required 39 locks. All together, the Black River Canal had 109 locks--still a world record. Between Lyons Falls and Carthage, a distance of 42 miles, the Black River itself was canalized for slack-water navigation. By giving the North Country access to eastern and midwestern markets, the Black River Canal was instrumental in the region's growth and prosperity (source: Boonville Black River Canal Museum webpage at http://blackrivercanalmuseum.com/). Land Use: While there are active farms (mostly dairy) in the Town, only 8% of the land use is classified as agricultural. Over 35% is classified as residential. An additional 27% is classified as forestland. Of this, approximately 7000 acres are State or County forestland. These areas are generally open to the public for recreational opportunities in all seasons. The Town of Boonville is home to the County's fairgrounds, Pixley Falls State Park and a privately owned outdoor educational venture known as the Black River Environmental Improvement Association or BREIA. There are faults in the northeastern corner of the Town but the likelihood of severe earthquakes in this region is low. Soils: Soils in the Town of Boonville are dominated by Adams Loamy Sand and Bice Fine Sandy Loam. Adams soils formed on deltas and glacial features such as kame terraces and outwash plains. The parent material consists of sandy glaciofluvial or deltaic deposits derived mainly from crystalline rock and/or sandstone. The Adams loamy sand is quite deep and there are no restrictive layers. It tends to be excessively drained and is not associated with ponding or flooding. Bice soils formed in glacial features such as till plains, hills, ridges. The parent material consists of loamy till derived mainly from granite and gneiss with variable components of sandstone and shale. Bice soils are well drained. Limitations to productivity include erosivity. There are also large areas of Camroden, Pinkney, and Runeberg Soils.
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Water Resources: The land in the Town of Boonville drains to two distinct watersheds. Nearly 72% of the land drains to the Black River watershed via Fall Brook, Cummings Creek, East Kent and Moose Creek. The remainder of the Town drains to the Mohawk via the Lansing Kill and Stringer Brook. There are over 4000 acres of State and Federal wetlands in the Town. There are 25 dams in the Town and in the immediate vicinity of the Town that could affect the residents should failure occur. Echo Lake is located entirely within the Town and supports campsites and recreational uses. A portion of Kayuta Lake is also located within the Town. There are approximately _____ acres of unconfined aquifers underlying the Town and providing drinking water to the residents and visitors. The floodzone in the Town of Boonville comprises over 1394 acres. There are 3 school facilities located within the floodzone as well as approximately 15 mobile homes. There were 74 new parcels created in the Town of Boonville since 2007. Two of these contain land but not buildings in the floodzone.
Mitigation Strategies: The Town of Boonville's mitigation strategies involve the following: Boonville T1) Addressing flooding on Edmonds Road Boonville T2) Ensuring the safety of the Hawkinsville Dam Boonville T3) Addressing landslide issues along the steep shale corridor of NY 46.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: John Gaylord, Town Supervisor Municipal Office: 13149 St. Rt. 12, Boonville, NY 13309 Phone: 315-943-2069 Website: http://townofboonville.org/content/
Maps:
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Pixley Falls State Park:
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Black River Canal in Boonville
Glacial Erratic in Boonville
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Village of Boonville General Overview: The Village of Boonville covers 1.7 square miles entirely within the Town of Boonville in northern Oneida County. There are 2072 residents in the Village. The population density is nearly 1200 people per square mile. In terms of vulnerable populations, nearly 25% of the population is comprised of seniors and those living below the poverty level comprise 19.3% of the population which is higher than the County, State and National levels. The State and National averages for those living below the poverty level are 14.5% and 14.3% respectively while the Oneida County rate is 15.1%. The top hazards of concern would be severe winter storms and a utility failure. Road closures are common during the winter and the community has learned how to cope. Shelters are in place when necessary and road maintenance equipment is kept in excellent shape. These are locally funded projects that have existed for some time. As for the utility, a significant upgrade to the West St. Substation is near the end of the planning stages and construction may begin before the years end. The current configuration has three transformers with a capacity of approximately 21MVA. (MVA is a Mega Volt Amp, also known as a Million Volt Amp) The current load at the Municipal Commission substation sometimes meets or exceeds that level and the plan is to expand the system with a fourth transformer that will bring the capacity to 30.5MVA, a substantial increase of about 40%. Funding for this $2,000,000 project is being arranged by the Commission and they expect it to be completed and operational by June of 2014. Other than the tornado of 1983, this community has been fortunate to not have any severe disasters. The common problems are fires, occasional heavy rains and severe winter storms. This community tends to pride itself on being self-sufficient and we routinely deal with these local disasters on our own. Land Use: Much of the land within the village has been developed for residential and/or commercial usage. A portion of the County's fairgrounds are located within the Village. There are also parks and open space near the Black River Canal system. Soils: Soils in the western portion of the Village of Boonville are dominated by Malone silt loam. Malone soils were formed on glacial features such as till plains, hills, drumlinoid ridges. The parent material consists of loamy dense till derived mainly from limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and gneiss in varying amounts. These soils tend to be somewhat poorly drained. Malone soils tend to have a seasonal high water table. Malone soils tend to be productive but limited by wetness. Soils in the eastern portion of the town are dominated by the Adams loamy sands. Adams soils formed on deltas and glacial features such as kame terraces and outwash plains. The parent material consists of sandy glaciofluvial or deltaic deposits derived mainly from crystalline rock and/or sandstone. The Adams loamy sand is quite deep and there are no restrictive layers. It tends to be excessively drained and is not associated with ponding or flooding. Water Resources: Half of the Village of Boonville drains to the Black River via Mill Creek and half drains to the Mohawk River. There are 4 dams in or near the Village of Boonville that could affect residents. Much of the Village is underlain by an unconfined aquifer. There are no State regulated wetlands in the Village of Boonville. The floodzone in the Village comprises 27 acres and there are no facilities, critical or otherwise, located within the floodzone in the Village of Boonville. Three new parcels were created in the Village of Boonville since 2007 but none of these are in the floodzone.
Mitigation Strategies: Boonville V1: There are some areas that are sometimes prone to light flooding, such as the intersection of Post and Ford Streets (both State roads, ST-46/ST-294). NYS DOT is planning to change the layout of that intersection as well as the intersection at the stop light (Post and Schuyler ST.), and it is believed that this project will also upgrade and improve the storm drains in that area. This project is also near the end of the planning stages and should be completed with state funding within two years.
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Boonville V2: The wastewater treatment plant is at a low lying elevation within the village and occasional heavy rains do overload the system. System upgrades for the wastewater system are in the planning stages and they include the phased replacement of an obsolete “box culvert storm sewer”. The project to replace the box culvert was presented in 2009 with an estimated costs of $250,000.00, to be obtained thru NYS funding. No timeline for construction or completion is available at this time. Boonville V3: One lesson we learned from the apartment fire of last spring was that the two apartments probably had too many occupants (29). The Village is reviewing the codes that are in place and considering changes that would improve code enforcement of such situations.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Adrien Grenier, Codes Officer Municipal Office: 13149 St. Rt. 12, Boonville, NY 13309 Phone: 315-943-2052 Website: http://village.boonville.ny.us/content
Maps:
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Village of Boonville's shopping district from NY 12.
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Town of Forestport General Overview: The Town of Forestport is located in the northeastern corner of Oneida County. With an area of 76.9 square miles, Forestport is the largest town in the County but has the third lowest population density with just under 20 persons per square mile. There are no villages in Forestport but several hamlets including Forestport, Woodhull, and Woodgate. Foresport's population of 1556 is nearly identical to the population in 1990 but there was a rise and then decline shown in the 2000 Census. Seniors in the Town of Forestport comprise 18% of the total population. Those under 5 comprise an additional 5%. Those living below the poverty level include 14% of the population which is just under the County average. Transportation: Over 83 miles of roads serve the residents of Forestport. This includes 16 miles of County Roads, 53 miles of local roads and 15 miles of State Roads including NY 28. There is 14 miles of the Adirondack Railroad going through the Town of Forestport running from the southwest corner to the northwest corner. Land Use: The Town's wooded setting and tranquil, abundant lakes provide an ideal backdrop for the many camps and seasonal residences located there. Forestport is home to Camp Russell, Camp Nazareth and the Masonic Camp. As the name suggests, the Town of Forestport is largely forested with more than 53% of the parcels classified as forested. Approximately 23% of the Town's parcels are residential. None of the town's parcels are classified as agricultural, an anomaly in Oneida County. Forestport is one of the only communities in the County that has a portion of its territory within the Blue Line of the Adirondack Park. Soils: Similar to their neighbor Boonville to the west, the Town of Forestport's soils tend to have a sandy texture. One third of the soils in Town are Adams loamy sands. Adams soils formed on deltas and glacial features such as kame terraces and outwash plains. The parent material consists of sandy glaciofluvial or deltaic deposits derived mainly from crystalline rock and/or sandstone. The Adams loamy sand is quite deep and there are no restrictive layers. It tends to be excessively drained and is not associated with ponding or flooding. Approximately 11% of the town's soils are part of the Becket-Skerry complex which is classified as very bouldery which tends to be found on hillsides or mountainsides. The parent material consists of loamy till over dense sandy and loamy till, derived mainly from igneous and meta-igneous rock. Depth to a root restrictive layer, densic material, is 24 to 36 inches. The natural drainage class is well drained. This soil type has a seasonally high water table in the months before and after winter. The land is not considered to be productive or easily developed and is limited by stony conditions. Other prominent soil types include Berkshire fine loamy sand and Naumburg Loamy Sand. Water Resources: The entire Town of Forestport drains to the Black River via Moose Creek, Twin Sister Creek, Woodhull Creek, Stonybrook and the Little Woodhull. There are numerous lakes throughout the town, some man-made and others natural. These include Otter Lake, White Lake, Long Lake, Round Lake, Snowbird Lake, the Forestport Reservoir, Kayuta Lake, Alder Pond and numerous others that are un-named. Several of these support seasonal residences, tourism and provide recreational opportunities. Some are entirely privately owned while others are accessible to the public. There are 19 dams in and near the Town of Forestport that have the potential to affect residents. The Town of Forestport supports over 3000 acres of regulated wetlands within its boundaries. The floodzone in the Town of Forestport includes 3830 acres. There are 2 critical facilities with property in the floodzone. This includes wastewater treatment and water filtration facilities. There are also approximately 12 mobile homes with property within the floodzone. There were 18 new parcels created in the Town of Forestport since 2007. Of these, there are 3 parcels in the residential property class that are in the floodzone. Two of these have the back woods only in the floodzone and not the structures. However, the third is a residence with most of the property in the floodzone. This parcel was created in 2007. It is unknown if this residence has been floodproofed.
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Mitigation Strategies: Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Brad Smith Municipal Office: 12012 Woodhull Road, PO Box 137 Forestport, NY 13338 Phone: 315-392-2801 Website: http://townofforestport.org/content/ Maps:
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Spring in Forestport
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Town of Remsen General Overview: The Town of Remsen is located on the eastern border of Oneida County just south of the Town of Forestport. With 35.5 square miles of land, this rural town has a population density of approximately 54 persons per square mile. Remsen's population of 1929 residents includes 242 senior citizens which is 13% of the total population. Approximately 15.4% of Remsen's population lives below the poverty level which is higher than the 15.1% for the County and the 14.5% for NYS. The Village of Remsen is mostly located within the Town of Remsen but a small portion is also located in the Town of Trenton to the South. Transportation: The Town of Remsen includes 22 miles of County roads, 36 miles of local roads and 10 miles of State roads. The historic and scenic Adirondack Railroad runs through the town on 3.5 miles of tracks. Land Use: Remsen contains several small dairy farms but only 11% of the parcels are classified as agricultural. Residential parcels comprise 44% of the land use in the Town of Remsen while 32% of the parcels are considered to be vacant. Vacant land uses can be agricultural, residential, commercial or wooded. Approximately 9% of the landscape is forested including over 500 acres operated as County and/or State forest land. The Nature Conservancy also owns over 800 acres of land in the Remsen that is dedicated to the preservation of habitat. Soils: Soils in the Town of Remsen are similar in texture and drainage to those in Boonville and Forestport. Adams loamy fine sand covers one-third of the Town. Adams soils formed on deltas and glacial features such as kame terraces and outwash plains. The parent material consists of sandy glaciofluvial or deltaic deposits derived mainly from crystalline rock and/or sandstone. The Adams loamy sand is quite deep and there are no restrictive layers. It tends to be excessively drained and is not associated with ponding or flooding. Approximately 19% of the soils in Town are classified as Pyrities Loam. Pyrities soils are found on hills and ridges. The parent material consists of loamy till with a significant component of limestone. These soils tend to be well drained. The soil tends to be productive but is limited by erodibility. Water Resources: Drainage in the Town of Remsen is nearly evenly divided between the Black River and the Mohawk. The Mohawk drainage contributes to both the Cinncinnati Creek and the Hinckley Reservoir. The Town of Remsen borders the Hinckley Reservoir to the southeast. This structure provides drinking water to thousands of residents in Oneida County in addition to businesses and visitors. The Hinckley reservoir is the result of a large dam on the West Canada Creek, an important tributary to the Mohawk. The Hinckley Reservoir is managed by the Mohawk Valley Water Authority who work very hard to ensure that the watershed remains protected from pollutants. As such, the largely wooded watershed area is relatively free from development, industrial uses and agriculture. Abundant wetlands are present in the Town of Remsen as evidenced by the 3300 acres of regulated wetlands in the Town. In addition, the Nature Conservancy owns over 700 acres surrounding the Evans Pond and Lake Julia features. There are 15 dams in and near the Town of Remsen that could affect residents. The floodzone in the Town of Remsen includes approximately 1570 acres. There are no critical facilities located within the floodzone but there are a handful of mobile homes and apartment facilities. There were 30 new parcels created in the Town of Remsen since 2007. One of these was in the floodzone but is waterfront property with a dock.
Mitigation Strategies: Remsen T1: Identify and right-size culverts that are aging or undersized on local roads especially Buck Road.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Cliff Hill and Roger Helmer Municipal Office: 10540 Academy Lane, Remsen, NY 13438 Phone: 315-831-5558
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Website: http://town.remsen.ny.us/content/
Maps:
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Village of Remsen General Overview: Surrounded by the hills of Remsen and Trenton, the Village of Remsen along the banks of the Cincinnati Creek is home to 508 residents in its 0.4 square mile area. Known far and wide for its 30 year old Festival of the Arts, Remsen's residents actively work toward making their village a family friendly and safe community. Main Street has been plagued by frequent flooding exacerbated by runoff from NY 12. The community officials have applied for and received funding to address the persistent flooding and expect to begin construction in 2014. A concern in the Village of Remsen is the high percentage of those living below the poverty level. At 22.8% of the population, this is the third highest poverty level rate in the County after The Village of Bridgewater and the City of Utica. The County's poverty level is 15.1%, the State is 14.5% and the Nation is 14.3%. Seniors comprise approximately Land Use: Much of the Village is developed for residential and commercial uses although there are a handful of farms that are operational within the village limits. Soils: Soils in the Village are largely Malone silt loams. These soils are associated with glacial till. The parent material consists of loamy dense till derived mainly from limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and gneiss in varying amounts. Malone soils tend to be somewhat poorly drained. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 14 inches during January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. These soils tend to be suitable for development and agriculture but are limited by wetness. Other soils in the village include Kalurah silt loam, Salmon Silt Loam and Udorthents. Water Resources: The Cincinnati Creek flows through the Village from North to South and feeds the Mohawk River watershed. However, the mapped floodzone for the Village is a very narrow band surrounding the banks of the stream. The floodzone includes approximately 18 acres in the village. However, the flooding that has caused extensive property damage on Main Street and other side streets is almost exclusively caused by stormwater runoff rather than out of bank flooding. There was one new parcel created in the village since 2007 and it was not located in the floodzone. Mitigation Strategies: Rem V1: The Village of Remsen will address the Main Street flooding by installing their flood mitigation strategy funded by NYS. Rem V2: In addition, the Village officials will identify and remove woody debris that is causing or could contribute to blockages in the Cincinnati Creek.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Fran Stacy, Mayor Municipal Office: 10606 Pine Street, Remsen, NY 13438 Phone: (315) 831-5558 Website: http://villageofremsen.org/content Maps:
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Town of Steuben: General Overview The Town of Steuben is located in northern Oneida county. With 1100 residents, Steuben population ranks as the third lowest for a township in Oneida County. It's 42.7 square miles is largely dedicated to agriculture and forestry. The population density is 25.8 persons per square mile. Between 1990 and 2000, Steuben experienced somewhat of a population boom by increasing its population by 17%. However, by 2010, the population had declined approximately 6% from 2010. Seniors comprise approximately 15% of the population and those under 5 comprise 5% of the population. There have been many Amish families who have moved into the town in recent years and outreach efforts have been made to ensure that they know about critical services.
Notable features in town include the County's second highest point at the Steuben Memorial State Historic Park on Starr Hill Road. Transportation: The Town of Steuben is served by 24 miles of County roads, 36 miles of local roads and approximately 7 miles of State Roads including portions of NY274 and NY 12. The
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Mohawk Adirondack and Northern Railroad's Lyons Falls line runs along the northeastern corner of the Town. The split between the Adirondack Scenic RR line and the Lyons Falls line is just outside the Town's eastern border. Land Use: The Town of Steuben's parcels are classified as follows: Residential: 39% Forested: 28% Vacant: 20% Agricultural: 17%. It's worth noting that the residential parcels can include agricultural fields that are rented to local farmers. This may also be true of some of the parcels currently classified as vacant. Soils: The three main soil types in the Town of Steuben cover 28.5 square miles of the Town. These include the Kalurah Silt Loam, the Malone Silt Loam and Pyrities Loam. Kalurah soils are found on ridges and hills. The parent material consists of calcareous loamy till derived mainly from limestone, dolomite, and sandstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer is greater than 60 inches. The natural drainage class is moderately well drained. This soil is not flooded. It is not ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 18 inches during January, February, March, April, May, November, December. Kalurah soils tend to be well suited to agriculture with some limitations based on erodibility. Malone soils are found on drumlinoid ridges, hills, and till plains. The parent material consists of loamy dense till derived mainly from limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and gneiss in varying amounts. The natural drainage class is somewhat poorly drained. This soil is not flooded. It is not ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 14 inches during January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. Malone soils tend to be suitable for agriculture or development but are limited by wetness. Pyrities soils are also found on ridges and hills. The parent material consists of loamy till with a significant component of limestone. Pyrities soils tend to be well drained. There is no zone of water saturation within a depth of 72 inches. These soils are well suited to agriculture with limitations related to erosion control. Other soils of note in the Town of Steuben include a variety of silt loams derived from glacial deposits. Water Resources: Less than 2 square miles of Steuben drain to the Black River. This area is on the northern border of the Town. The remainder of the land drains to the Mohawk River via Stringer Brook, Wells Creek and the Cincinnati Creek. There are approximately 2350 acres of wetlands in the Town of Steuben although most of the central portion of the Town does not contain state regulated wetlands. There are two areas where unconfined aquifers have been mapped in the Town of Steuben. Both of these are capable of yielding 10-100 gallons per minute of flow. There are 6 dams in and near Steuben that have the potential to affect residents. The floodzone in Steuben is relatively minor and is located along the Cincinnati Creek. There are roughly 185 acres of floodzone in the Town of Steuben. There were 26 new parcels created in the Town of Steuben since 2007. None of these are in the floodzone. There are no critical or vulnerable facilities in the floodzone in Steuben.
Mitigation Strategies: ST1: One main area of concern in the Town of Steuben is the identification and repair of failing infrastructures. The culvert on Lewis Road is a primary example of a structure that needs to be replaced and upgraded as it poses a serious threat to transportation. ST2: In addition, the flooding at the Town hall needs to be addressed as it is considered an emergency shelter. Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Ben Simons Municipal Office: 9458 Soule Road, Remsen, NY 13438
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Phone: (315) 865-5087 Website: http://town.steuben.ny.us/content/
Maps:
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Lewis Road Culvert in the Town of Steuben
Town of Western General Overview: The Town of Western is located in the northeastern portion of Oneida County. Western's landscape has been shaped and re-shaped by the Mohawk River as it flows through most of the Town from North to South. The terrain in the Town of Western ranges from valley floor to very steep slopes suitable for skiing. In some cases, the steep slopes are affiliated with landslides and/or repeated erosion concerns for residents and highway crews alike. The Town of Western is home to the Delta Lake State Park and nearly 3.5 square miles of the Delta Reservoir. The reservoir is the result of the intentional flooding of the Village of Delta by damming the Mohawk River in the early 1900s to create a drinking water source for nearby, developing areas. Currently, the reservoir remains an emergency drinking water backup supply and a popular recreational area for swimmers, boaters and anglers. As a drinking water supply, all tributaries flowing into Delta are protected as drinking water by the DEC. This designation affects streams in Steuben, Boonville and Ava. Development along the Mohawk River, frequently within the floodzone, has resulted in frequent flooding of residential and agricultural structures and fields. Streambank erosion along the Mohawk is extremely difficult to control as the river is capable of carving a new path in every major event. One project that was recently completed by the DEC and the USFW Service involved installing rock vanes and re-establishing a flood bench on the upstream side of the Stokes Westernville Road bridge. This DOT bridge on the Town's road was at risk of major damage when extensive erosion occurred on the eastern bank. Western's population is 1951 and the population density is approximately 38 persons per square mile. Seniors comprise approximately 16% of the population and those living below the poverty level comprise just under 10% of the population. Transportation: The Town of Western is served by 18 miles of County roads, 48 miles of local roads and 14 miles of State roads including NY 46. Land Use: The Town of Western is 25% forested with much of the northern portion of the town is dedicated to State and County forest land. Agriculture along the valley and on high ground comprises nearly 40% of the land in the Town. Residential land use and vacant land cover 21% and 15% respectively. Soils: The three most common soils in the Town of Western include Bice Fine Sandy Loam, Camroden Silt Loam, and Pinckney Silt Loam. Bice soils are found on over 5500 acres in the
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Oneida County HMP Draft 10/31/2013 1:08 PM Part III.B.3.2: Northeastern Regional Profiles Town of Western. These soils are typically found on glacial till plains, hills and ridges. The parent material consists of loamy till derived mainly from granite and gneiss with variable components of sandstone and shale. Bice soils are well drained and the soil is well suited to agriculture with a slight limitation based on erodibility. Camroden silt loam soils are found on drumlinoid ridges, and till plains. The parent material consists of loamy till derived mainly from slightly acid to slightly alkaline shale and some siltstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 14 to 21 inches. The natural drainage class is somewhat poorly drained. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 16 inches during January, February, March, April, May, November, December. These soils are suitable for agriculture but tend to be limited by wetness. Pinckney soils are found on drumlinoid ridges, and till plains. The parent material consists of loamy till derived mainly from shale and siltstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 20to 30 inches. The natural drainage class is moderately well drained. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 22 inches during January, February, March, April, May, December. This soil is suitable for agriculture but has a limitation based on erodibility. Other soils of note in the Town include Kalurah, Appleton, Knickerbocker and Marcy. Water Resources: The Town of Western is almost entirely drained by the Mohawk River with the exception of 0.2 square miles along the western border that flow to the Great Lakes via the Canada Creek. Over 8 miles of the main stem of the Mohawk flow through the Town of Western from north to south into the reservoir at Delta. The Town is also home to over 1200 acres of regulated wetlands much of which surrounds the reservoir. Delta Dam is not located within the Town of Western. The dam is located approximately 1600 feet south of (downstream of) the Town of Western in the City of Rome. This is the only dam that would likely affect the residents of Western. A large unconfined aquifer follows the path of the Mohawk Valley through the Town and is capable of providing 10-100 gallons per minute. The floodzone in the town of Western is substantial with 3634 acres although this value includes the Delta reservoir area. There were 39 new parcels created in the Town of Western since 2007. Of these, there was some ag land in the floodzone. There was also one vacant piece owned by an out of town Enterprise that may have development plans as there is road frontage on NY 46. There is one piece that is considered vacant but is actually vacant residential land alongside the Mohawk on NY 46. Finally, there is one home that is on Hillside Drive that is fully in the floozone including the structure. This is adjacent to the Mohawk River. It is unknown if this structure was floodproofed.
Mitigation Strategies: Western 1: Finish construction on the idle salt storage facility. Western 2: Address stormwater runoff and erosion on Tannery Road and Dixon Drive. Western 3: Identify structures that have been severely and repetitively damaged by their position in the floodzone to investigate flood proofing or acquisition alternatives.
Hazard Mitigation Contact Information Planning Committee Member: Tom Stevens, Highway Superintendent Municipal Office: 9219 Main Street, Westernville, NY 13486 Phone: 315-827-4422 Website: http://www.townofwestern-ny.org/index.html Maps
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Western Map 1: USGS topo of the Town of Western. Note the steep ravines that drain to the Mohawk Valley.
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Western map 2: Note the proximity of the Delta Reservoir and the extent of the Mohawk River floodzone.
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Streambank restoration site on the Mohawk River looking downstream at the Stokes Westernville bridge.
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