Strainer Removed By NY Army National Guard

The strainer that took the life of Jordan Engler on Labor Day weekend was removed today by the NY Army National Guard. The work was made possible by an emergency declaration issued from Governor Cuomo's office yesterday that allowed the removal of stream debris in advance of the approaching hurricane Joaquin.

To read more about the removal and see photos here is a link to the Watershed Post article.
http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/soldiers-remove-deadly-strainer-esopus-warning-sign-installed

Earlier this week Jordyn Engler's father spoke publicly for the first time about the events of that tragic day. http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/father-girl-who-drowned-esopus-creek-speaks-out

Such a sad story. My heart breaks for this family. My they find some peace.

Help Clean the Esopus Creek

Esopus Creek Cleanup
Saturday, June 23^rd
9:30 am – 1:00pm
BBQ provided

Meet at 6375 State Route 28, Phoenicia

Bring: work boots; long pants; long-sleeve shirt; sunscreen; insect repellant and a hat.  Gloves and trash bags provided.

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program through CCEUC and Trout Unlimited are holding a stream cleanup this Saturday, June 23^rd.  If anyone is interested in attending (it’s a great community service project) please call Gretchen at 845-688-3047 ext. 0#, or email gr283@cornell.edu   Trout Unlimited will be barbequing for all volunteers so it is recommended that you RSVP. 

Public Input On Recreational Stream Access

I only received this email today from Cornell Cooperative so it is very short notice but if you are interested here are the details:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Seeks Public Input for Improved Recreational Stream Access in the Ashokan Watershed

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is gathering the public’s input at three public sessions on where they would like to see improvements to recreational stream access in the Ashokan Watershed. Some ideas for improvement could be; improved parking areas, green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, benches along the stream, garbage cans or garbage pick-up, or wildlife habitat improvements. Or maybe you would just like to see more signs along the road indicating where there is public stream access! If you cannot make it make to any of the public outreach meetings or have a new idea, a map and survey that you can fill out and submit online can be found on our website ashokanstreams.org/streamaccess.html.

We are holding 3 public information gathering sessions in the towns of Shandaken, Woodstock, and Olive on the following dates, refreshments will be served.

Shandaken: March 8, 2011 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
At the AWSMP Program office
6375 State Rt. 28, Phoenicia NY

Olive: March 10, 2011 from 4:30pm – 7:00pm
At the Olive Free Library, in the Community Room
4033 Route 28A, West Shokan NY

Woodstock: March 18, 2011 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm (Tentative)
At the Woodstock Community Center
56 Rock City Rd, Woodstock NY

Everyone is encouraged to attend! If you have any questions about these upcoming events, please call the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program office at 845-688-3047. To see the finalized dates please visit the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program’s website ashokanstreams.org/calendar.html.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events call 845-340-3990 or visit online at www.cceulster.org follow us and Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program on www.facebook.com.

Thank you Stream Steward Volunteers!

Here is a message from Cornell Cooperative to all those who volunteered to plant trees last Saturday.

Thanks to the Ashokan Stream Stewards who helped plant 425 trees and 624 plants last Saturday to restore this streamside area with native trees on the Esopus Creek in Big Indian! Past flooding removed a buffer zone of trees leaving only bare lawn. The trees and plants were installed to reconnect a continuous forested buffer through the property. The planting was sponsored the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative. For more information about the program, see http://catskillstreams.org/CSBI/


To see more photos of the event or join them on Facebook click here.

Streamside Planting Tomorrow

Michael Courtney sent this to me last week and, unfortunately, it got lost in my email box until now. I am sure that if you wanted to participate you could just give them a call in the morning.

Volunteers Sought for Streamside Planting
Along Esopus Creek

Get some fresh air and exercise by the gorgeous Esopus Creek! Catskill Streams Buffer Initative (CSBI) is looking for volunteers to complete a tree planting project along the Esopus Creek in Oliverea to restore a streamside forest area on Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 am to 2:00pm.Lunch will be provided.

Volunteers will meet at the site, which is at 338 Oliverea Rd. at 9:00am. Please dress appropriately and bring gloves. Holes will be pre-dug for easy planting. Go online to www.ashokanstreams.org for a map to the site. Volunteers should RSVP with Colleen Griffith at 845-688-3047.

Volunteers for this project will restore a section of trees that were torn away by the April, 2005 flood. The restoration is designed to reduce the chances of future damage. Streamside vegetation is essential to the health of streams as they filter runoff, maintain the stability of streams, slow flood flows and provide essential habitat.

The landowner for this site, John Michelotti, has worked with CSBI to create a riparian corridor management plan that provides prescriptive measures. Landowners who complete a riparian corridor management plan can then apply for plant materials to restore their riparian buffer. The landowners provide in kind support of the project and learn skills needed to keep their riparian buffer in an optimally functioning condition. For projects like this one with over 500 trees to plant, volunteers are essential to completing the projects which in turn, provide a public benefit by protecting the creek.

Catskill Streams Buffer Initative is sponsored locally by Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension and New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

Streamside Planting - Saturday September 18th

Michael Courtney sent me this message about the project he is organizing this Saturday. Since most of us use the Espous to swim, fish, etc, etc. I thought some of you might be interested. Here is what he had to say:

"We will be doing a volunteer streamside planting project this Saturday. Can you post info on this on the WV blog?
Info is below. I also included a planting clip art file and a pdf of the flyer for the event. This is part of our Creek Week."
Thanks! Michael

Saturday, September 18, 9:00 am – 12:00
Location of Event:_ Meet at Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Office, 6375 State Route 28. Just west of Phoenicia, across from former Margo’s Restaurant.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help plant trees and shrubs to restore stream side vegetation on a local stream. We will meet at the project office and carpool to the planting location. Bring boots, workgloves, a shovel if you have one and water bottle.
RSVP to Michael at (845) 688-3047/ph or mcc55@cornell.edu

Michael Courtney
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
www.ashokanstreams.org
(845) 688-3047/ph

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

Didymo in the Esopus

Michael Courtney of the Cornell Cooperative of Ulster County asked me to post this on the blog. Since the health of our waterways is important to us all I thought you would be interested.

DEC CONFIRMS PRESENCE of DIDYMO IN ESOPUS CREEK

Aquatic Algae Discovered in Popular Recreational Waterway

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that didymo, an invasive species, has been confirmed in the Esopus Creek in Ulster County.

This is the first known presence of this aquatic algae, also called “rock snot,” in the Esopus and the third confirmed location in New York State. The Esopus is a popular recreational waterway for fishing, kayaking and tubing, and is a drinking water source for New York City.

DEC collected samples and confirmed the presence of didymo in the vicinity of several public access sites along a 12-mile stretch of the Esopus from the “Shandaken Portal” (which transfers water to the Esopus from Schoharie Reservoir) to New York City’s Ashokan Reservoir.

Didymo Impact
Unlike many other aquatic invasive plants, didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) grows on the bottom of both flowing and still waters. It is characterized by the development of thick, gooey mat-like growths – which can last for months – even in fast flowing streams. In addition to making footing difficult, didymo can impede fishing by limiting the abundance of bottom dwelling organisms that trout and other species of fish feed on.

There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.

Didymo mats look like brown or white fiberglass insulation or tissue paper (photo at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50272.html). While didymo appears slimy and stringy, it feels rough and fibrous, similar to wet wool and does not fall apart when handled.

Previously, didymo had been confirmed in the Batten Kill in Washington County near the Vermont border and in the East and West branches of the Delaware River.

“The presence of didymo in another popular New York waterway highlights the crucial need for people to be diligent in preventing the spread of invasive species,” Commissioner Grannis said. “Invasives can have a devastating impact not only on the environment but also the economy. I urge all outdoor enthusiasts to help out by adopting the ‘Check, Clean and Dry’ method for limiting the accidental transport of didymo and other invasive species from infected waterways to other water bodies.”
Anglers, kayakers, canoeists, tubers, boaters and others engaging in water-based recreation can unknowingly spread didymo. The microscopic algae can cling – unseen – to waders, boots, boats, clothing, lures, hooks, fishing line and other equipment and remain viable for several weeks under even in seemingly dry conditions. Absorbent items, such as felt-soled waders and wet suits, require thorough treatment as outlined below.

Water recreationists are urged to use the “Check, Clean and Dry” method to limit the spread of invasive species.

Check -- Before leaving a river, stream or pond, remove all obvious traces of algae and look for hidden clumps and leave them at the affected site. If any is found later, it should be disposed of in trash receptacles, not washed down drains.

Clean – Treatment varies. The solution needs to completely penetrate thick, absorbent items such as felt-soled waders and wading boots.
For non-absorbent items, try these methods:
-- Detergent or salt: Soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute in a 5% solution (by volume) of dishwashing detergent or salt (7 ounces of detergent or salt added to a gallon of water).
-- Bleach: Soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute in a 2% solution (by volume) of household bleach (3 ounces of bleach per gallon of water).
-- Hot water: Soak for at least one minute in very hot water (140 degrees F – hotter than most tap water) or for at least 20 minutes in water kept at 115 degrees F (uncomfortable to touch).
For absorbent items, longer soaking times are required. Use these methods:
-- Hot water: Soak for at least 40 minutes in water kept above 115 degrees F.
-- Hot water plus detergent: Soak for 30 minutes in hot water kept above 115 degrees F, containing 5% dishwashing detergent.

Dry – If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to the touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any new waterway. Check thick, absorbent items closely to assure that they are dry throughout. Equipment and gear can also be placed in a freezer until all moisture is frozen solid.
NOTE: If cleaning, drying or freezing is not practical, restrict equipment use to a single water body. DEC encourages anglers to consider alternatives to felt-soled waders such as rubber studded boots.

ALSO, it is especially important that any gear used out of state be treated before use in New York waters.

Rain and Wind

Wow! We had a lot of rain! It poured Friday night and almost all day yesterday. About 8:00 pm the rain stopped and the wind got really crazy. It blew hard until the early hours of the morning. There is still some wind today but not as bad as yesterday. Thank goodness it calmed down, several small branches hit my house last night and it was getting a bit scary. Today is sunny but cold.

The creek came up over NWS flood stage twice this week but I don't think there was any flooding locally.

You can go to the Esopus Creek gage http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?dd_cd=01%2C05%2C06&format=gif&period=7&site_no=01362500
or the Woodland Valley gage and check it out.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv/?site_no=0136230002&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Scroll to the bottom where it says "gage height, feet".

Water Levels for the WV Stream and Esopus

Here is something that some of you might find interesting. You can go on to the USGS (United States Geological Survey) website and get the water levels of the Woodland Valley Stream and the Esopus Creek at any time. The water levels are updated every few hours so you can monitor the rising of the stream and the creek very closely. If you go to the site and scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see a graph that reads “Gage”. That graph gives you the creek height in feet. I find this information particularly helpful in times of flood or draught. I recommend visiting the site a few times when the creek is at normal levels so you get a sense of what “normal” is for the streams in our area. Then you can go back and see it at the higher levels and monitor it yourself during bad storms. If you live stream side you might want to bookmark these links. I am going to give you a direct link to the Woodland Valley Stream info, one to the Esopus Creek info, the page for all available gages and the main USGS website.

Please Note: I am linking to the Esopus at Coldbrook because it is below the portal and would be more accurate for Phoenicia then the information from Allaben, which is above the portal. For those of you that don’t know, the portal is the tunnel under the mountains where the Scholharie reservoir drains into the Esopus and then ultimately feeds the Ashokan. It is opened and closed by the DEP depending on how much water needs to be transferred to the Ashokan.

I am also going to put the direct links to the Woodland Stream and the Esopus Creek information on the list of useful links that is a permanent part of the first page of this blog.

Woodland Creek above Phoenicia
Esopus Creek at Coldbrook
USGS - All Gages
Main USGS site

Free Trees to Fight Streamside Erosion

There is a program available from the NYSDEC for streamside residents in the Ashokan Reservoir watershed called "Trees for Tribs". In an effort to help streamside residents prevent further erosion, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the NYSDEC have done several plantings in the watershed with more planned for spring. The "Trees for Tribs" program is accepting applications for spring plantings of trees and shrubs until March 1st. I called Michael Courtney at the Cornell Cooperative and he told me that the folks along Woodland Creek would be eligible for this program. If you are interested in joining forces with these organizations to plant a streamside area on your property you can call Michael at (845) 340-3990 to apply through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. You can also learn more about the program by calling Kevin Grieser at the NYSDEC at (845) 256-3145.

Also check out the full Esopus Creek Management Plan at http://www.esopuscreek.org. This site has a lot of interesting and useful information and I have made it a permanent part of the blog in the "Useful Links" section on the right.

Streamside Sculpture

Don't get fooled by all the snow in this photo, I actually took this last week. I love when people make the stacked rock sculptures on the edges of the creek. I thought this was a particularly simple yet beautiful one. Especially with the snow around it.

With the warm temperatures of this past week most of the snow has melted away. There are still some bigger piles though but it is all going down fast.