Limited Supply of Driftwood Free to Artists

This coming Friday, January 23rd, from 10am to 2pm, the DEP will be giving a limited supply of driftwood from the Ashokan reservoir out free to artists. The wood is available on a first come/first serve basis.

The DEP removes the driftwood from the reservoir on a regular basis to keep the water clean. But this is the first time that I know of that they are making it available to folks. Many artists have contacted them in the past (including a good friend of mine) about getting the wood but have been refused. Bravo to the DEP for opening themselves up to this possiblity and finding a way to recycle this material into art! If you are interested, here is a link to the DEP site for more information.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/15-003pr.shtml#.VLvVnUsU5cQ

Ashokan Watershed Conference - 4/9/11

I recently received this email from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program. The focus of this years conference is flooding. Those of you with homes on the creek might be interested in attending. Here is the information they sent:

Flood Resilience for Towns, Businesses and Landowners Second Annual Ashokan Watershed Conference
Saturday, April 9th, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Emerson Resort, Mt. Tremper, NY
Cost: $15.00

With two significant floods occurring within two months of each other in 2010, flooding has been a pressing issue for communities in the Ashokan Watershed. This year, the Ashokan Watershed Conference will focus on the theme of how communities can be more resilient when floods occur. We can't stop floods. However, communities can take charge of planning wisely, minimizing damage, and being prepared so recovery happens faster and costs less.

What you will get out of this conference:

Municipal Officials:
See what other towns have done to address difficult flooding issues How to reduce your community's flood insurance rates. How to reduce flooding impacts with good floodplain and stream management. What changes are coming to Your Flood Insurance Maps.

Landowners & Businesses:
How to minimize flood damage to homes, structures, and property. How to address backyard erosion problems. All about Flood Insurance.

Everyone:
What meteorologists know about increasing rainfall trends. Learn how streams will respond to increased rainfall. Examples of what other communities have done to deal with flooding.

Click here to Download a Registration Brochure with Agenda

You will need Adobe Reader to open this document - click here to get Adobe Reader


Conference Agenda

8:15 am - 9:00 am
Registration & Networking Coffee and bagels available

9:20 am - 11:40 am Morning Sessions

Introduction - Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program

Extreme Precipitation — Increasing Frequency of Large Storms
Dan Zarrow, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University

Planning for Stream Response to Increased Rainfall
Jim MacBroom, Milone & MacBroom, Inc.

Forming a Flood Commission: Communities Finding Solutions
Rick Weidenbach, Graydon Dutcher; Delaware County SWCD

11:45 - 12:30 Lunch (included)

12:30 - 2:30 Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

Landowners & Businesses - Track 1
12:30 - 1:20
Got Flood Insurance?
All About Flood
Insurance for Homeowners
A.E. Knapp & Associates

Break 1:20 - 1:30 Break

Landowners & Businesses - Track 1
1:30 - 2:20 Flood Protection Measures for Homeowners
A.E. Knapp & Associates
______________

Landowners & Businesses - Track 2
12:30 - 1:20
Public Agency Panel:
Agency Roles After Floods
DEP, DEC, NRCD, SWCD, SEMO

Break 1:20 - 1:30

Landowners & Businesses - Track 2
1:30 - 2:20
Stream Bank Erosion 101 for Homeowners
Cory Ritz & Deron Davis SWCD/NRCS
_______________

Municipal - Track 1
12:30 - 2:20
National Flood Insurance Program:
Introductory Course on Floodplain Management
(2 hour session)

Bill Nechamen
Floodplain Management Section Chief, NYSDEC
**Training Credits Available for Code Enforcement Officers/Floodplain Managers**
_______________

Municipal - Track 2
12:30 - 2:20
FEMA Community Rating System: How to Reduce Flood Damage and Insurance Premiums
(2 hour session)

Mike Jastremski, Lillian Bruno Delaware & Schoharie County Planning Depts

Invasive Species Presentation

For all of us here in the valley who swim, fish, tube and enjoy both the WV stream and the Esopus, this upcoming presentation might be of interest.

FREE Presentation about the Threats of Invasive Species in the Catskills' Forests and Streams

Rock snot? It's a funny name, but when this invasive algae takes over streams it's no joke. On Thursday July 8 at 6:30pm, the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) will host Leslie Surprenant, the Invasive Species Management Coordinator from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to present "Rock Snot, Bad Bugs and other Bio Bullies" at the AWSMP Office located at 6375 State Route 28 in Phoenicia. The FREE program is open to the public. Please RSVP to Colleen at 845-688-3047.

Surprenant will discuss the threat of invasive species to the Catskills' forests and streams.

With the fishing, boating and camping season upon us, Leslie will focus on aquatic and forest invasive species such as didymo algae (aka "rock snot") and asian longhorned beetle to help us understand how we can help prevent the their spread. She'll also suggest non-invasive plants for landscaping. The program is perfect for anglers, anyone who enjoys any type of water recreation, home owners and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Ashokan Stream Management Program is a partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, Soil and Water Conservation District and New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information about CCEUC community programs and events call 845-340-3990 or visit us online at www.cceulster.org or follow on www.facebook.com


www.ashokanstreams.org

AWSMP is funded by NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Esopus Creek Cleanup - Saturday June 12th

Since a lot of us in the valley fish & swim in the Esopus I thought you some of you may be willing to help clean it up. Here are the details for this Saturday's effort.

Volunteers Needed!
Esopus Creek Cleanup
Saturday, June 12
Please RSVP by Thurs, June 10 to
Michael Courtney or Colleen Griffith at (845) 688-3047
Potluck Barbeque &
free live music for cleanup
volunteers to follow at noon.
Music by Peggy Atwood
Meet at our office at 9:30 am
6375 Route 28 - about five minutes west of
Phoenicia. We’ll carpool to cleanup
locations.
Burgers, veggie burgers & hotdogs, drinks provided.
Volunteers are asked to bring a side dish.

Cleanup Volunteers Needed

Since so many WV residents swim, fish, tube & kayak in the Esopus I thought this might be of interest to you all.

Volunteers Needed for Esopus Creek Cleanup in Phoenicia!

Saturday, June 12
9:30 am - Meet at our office & carpool to access sites
12:00 - Volunteer Potluck Barbecue with Singer Peggy Atwood to follow cleanup at our office.

Spend a morning helping the environment and your community at the Esopus Creek Cleanup!
Come join the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) Stream Stewards for a cleanup of trash along the Esopus Creek on Saturday, June 12 followed by a Potluck Barbecue and entertainment for volunteer clean-up crews at the AWSMP Main Office located at 6375 Route 28, in Phoenicia (across from the former Margo's Restaurant).

Volunteers will meet at the AWSMP Office that morning at 9:30am and carpool to cleanup stream access sites. Gloves & trash bags will be provided for the cleanup. Participants are asked to wear sturdy shoes & dress appropriately for sun/rain. Prizes will be awarded to everyone and also for the most interesting trash items found!

Immediately following the clean up at 12:00pm, volunteer clean-up crews will return to the AWSMP office for the Potluck Barbeque which will feature music by singer, Peggy Atwood. Burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs & buns will be provided – Volunteers are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Stream Stewards are volunteers with a connection to the Ashokan Watershed who participate in stream-based projects as a way to visibly model positive stream stewardship practices and assist in carrying out the goals of the Ashokan watershed Stream Management Program.

Please RSVP no later than Thursday, June 10 by calling Colleen Griffith or Michael Courtney at 845-688-3047 or email Michael at: mcc55@cornell.edu.

AWSMP is funded by NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Peggy Atwood describes her music as "Northern Country" as that is the title of her recent album. A recent review quoted on her website says, "Atwood's voice is smooth and creamy and she sings with a kind of humility that is disarming considering her vocal range and strength. It's like she knows she doesn't need any tricks, she's got the goods."

www.ashokanstreams.org

Geology Talk/Walk This Saturday with Dan Davis

Here are the details for this Saturday's geology talk/walk with Dan Davis of the NYCDEP. I think it will be a really interesting event.

A Discussion on the Geology of Woodland Valley with Dan Davis

10:00 - 11:00 Roxmor Clubhouse: Dan will start with a primer on some basic geology terms and concepts and then give a slide show/power point presentation covering the basics of Catskill Geology from the formation of the Devonian bedrock to today's landscape. He will also present some of the basic findings of this summer's stream assessment. This part of the event is suitable for people of all ages and physical ability levels.

11:00 - 12:00: This is open-ended and weather dependent. If the weather is favorable Dan will lead a stream walk from the Fawn Hill Road bridge down to the rock cut pool about 200 meters downstream. We will look at the interaction of the stream with the watershed geology discussed earlier. If it is too rainy, we can call it a day or have a continued discussion directed by the participants. Those who wish to join Dan for this part of the event should remember to wear shoes with good traction. This part of the hike is suitable for those who feel capable of walking in a around the stream beds.

You don't have to do both parts of this event. If, due to physical challenges, you do not want to walk in the stream, you are perfectly welcome to come for the talk and skip the walk.

The above photo is by Dan. It is of a large hillslope failure on Woodland Valley Creek. We will see this and many other things if the weather allows. Come and join us!!!!

NYCDEP Geologist Dan Davis Surveys WV Stream

Dan Davis (center in photo) a geologist with NYCDEP and research interns Bobby Taylor (of Phoenicia) and Colin Carey (of Mt. Tremper) were checking out the Woodland Valley creek this past Monday. They will be performing an assessment of the historical and current condition of the Woodland Valley creek and many of its tributaries (like Panther Kill and Dougherty Brook). The work is in support of developing good stream management strategies. Dan will be briefly presenting the purpose of this work at the July 26th WVA annual meeting. Right now they are working with available maps, photos and other data to complete a preliminary assessment of the valley. Starting in early July they intend to walk the stream channels and map features such as erosion, sediment sources, and invasive plant species. They would love to hear from anyone who has photographs or history of the valley especially as it relates to the stream. As part of the project the two research interns wish to interview valley residents about the history of the valley and life along the stream. If you have any information you would like to share you can contact Dan Davis at: 845-340-7839 or by e-mail at ddavis@dep.nyc.gov.

Geology Walk/Talk - Any Specific Interests?

As you know, Dan Davis, geologist with the NYCDEP, will be giving a talk/walk on the geology of Woodland Valley on August 16th (Raindate August 17th). He asked me to reach out to any possible participants and see if there is anything specific anyone is interested in learning more about. So send me some feedback on your interests and I will pass it along to Dan. You can email me here at wvview@gmail.com. I know there are some folks in the valley that would be interested but because of physical limitations wouldn't be able to walk along the stream so I am working with Dan to try and structure this event so that the beginning could be on easy terrain and attended by all and then we could move into walking the stream for those that fell able. We are still formulating this so any feedback you have would be greatly appreciated. I will keep you posted on the details as we move forward.

Update on Cornell Cooperative Events

Michael Courtney from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County gave me some more details about the events they are having over the next few weeks. I updated the post that I wrote on May 12th to include the new details. Please reread the post to get the additional information if you are planning to attend.

Kiosk

Now that it is warmer and you don't have to fight the snow to get to it, check out the kiosk by the Woodland Valley Bridge. It is a wonderful source of information on the creek restoration project.

Aerial Views of Woodland Valley

Here are some really cool photos sent to us by Dan Davis of the DEP. They were taken earlier in the week when he did his fly over Woodland Valley to get video and still images that track the meanderings of the creek. Just let him know if you are interested in viewing the video.

He is also interested in working with Woodland Valley residents when he does the stream channel assessment this summer. They are trying to figure out how to set this up as an organized volunteer opportunity and will let us know.

Thanks, Dan!

PS - Sorry I can't get these photos any larger. They are at the maximum size allowed by Blogger.

DEP To Fly Over Woodland Valley Stream

Here is a message from geologist Dan Davis of the DEP:

I am a geologist with NYC DEP’s Stream Management Program and am responsible for stream management planning for the Esopus Creek watershed. You may be familiar with the collaborative work we have been doing on the Esopus with Cornell Cooperative Extension (www.esopuscreek.org). In this ongoing effort to improve stream management practices in the Esopus Creek watershed I am responsible for coordinating and completing stream assessment activities. I have found the best first step to be reconnaissance of the stream corridor by helicopter. From that unique vantage point I can obtain continuous video footage and aerial digital still photos of the Esopus Creek corridor and its tributary system. I have been doing this since 2003. I use the videography and photography for qualitative assessment of channel condition and to document changes through time. I also use the videography and photography in public presentations as education/outreach tools. I am currently planning to fly on April 22 along the Esopus corridor and hope to do so for the Woodland Valley corridor as well. We hope to walk and map most of the Woodland Valley creek corridor condition this summer. I am also interested and available to meet with any residents to discuss our assessment plans for Woodland Valley this summer and to go over our imagery. My contact information is provided below.

Most Sincerely,
Dan Davis

_________________________________
Dan Davis, Project Manager/Geologist
NYCDEP Stream Management Program
71 Smith Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401
845-340-7839
_________________________________

New Information Kiosk at WV Bridge

There is a new information kiosk installed by the bridge at the convergence of Woodland Valley stream and the Esopus creek. It tells the dynamic story of epic flooding, disastrous erosion and the heroic efforts to restore and stabilize the streams. NYC DEP and Ulster County Soil and Water District joined together with the Army Corps and other agencies to do the work. Local artist Dave Channon was hired to design the snappy 3 x 4 foot panels. The third panel will be a community bulletin board for all the fishermen, waders & swimmers, kayakers, tubers, bikers, hikers and assorted lunch-munchers that stop by to visit this scenic location.

Of special interest is a new biological approach, planting willow saplings and other root anchoring native plants to protect stream banks from washing away. Get the skinny on how to deal with Knotweed invasions! Homeowners with a desire to help out can visit
www.EsopusCreek.org and get in touch with our local branch of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. There are get-togethers, stream cleanups, tree planting parties, events, lectures and workshops and all are invited to attend.

From - Dave Channon