Schoharie Creek Management Plan
The Schoharie Creek Management Plan was designed as a comprehensive review of stream characteristics, data, and maps and presents recommended management strategies. The management strategies consist of measures that can be taken individually and collectively to reduce the flood risks associated with living in the Schoharie valley, improve the ecology of the stream and floodplain, while protecting the stream’s many resource values. Ultimately, the plan is meant to assist watershed municipalities and residents in planning for a sustainable future for their property, infrastructure, water and biological resources. Ensuring the health of the watershed’s environmental resources will also help to secure a future of prosperous economic growth and a good quality of life for watershed residents.
Restoration Projects
Based on recommendations set forth in the Schoharie Creek Management Plan, GCSWCD and NYC DEP have completed several Schoharie Creek restoration projects in order to improve and help protect water quality in the Schoharie basin.
Wright Stream Stabilization and Riparian Project (2010), Town of Prattsville: This project was designed to achieve bank geometry and channel boundary conditions capable of withstanding the erosive forces of flood flows. The riparian component extended upstream onto the adjacent DEP property and will eventually lead to restored forested riparian function to a large stretch of the Schoharie Creek.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, CWC, Private Landowner
More information on this project
Hunter Foundation Stormwater Retrofit (2009), Village of Tannersville: Stormwater runoff from 1.2 acres of high density and commercial land use discharged directly to the Gooseberry Creek (aka Sawkill). To address this, specific practices included the installation of multiple rain gardens, a stormwater planter, a new underground piping and total suspended solids separator, approximately 10,000 sq ft of porous parking areas, extensive native plantings and an educational kiosk.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, CWC, ACOEs, Hunter Foundation
Complete project report
Deming Road Riparian Restoration (2009), Town of Hunter: The Deming Road Riparian Restoration resulted in the GCSWCD installing 723 native trees and shrubs and ~120 willow stakes in a section of the Schoharie Creek which lacked an adequate riparian buffer due to historical agricultural land use. Minor bank grading was completed prior to plant installation.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners
Complete project report
Carr Road Riparian Buffer Project (2007-2009), Town of Jewett: The Carr Road riparian buffer project extends over 2,300 feet of the Schoharie Creek in the Town of Jewett. Initiated in 2007, the project had three strategic components: stem injection treatment of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) with glyphosate (Glypro) to prepare the locations for replanting with native vegetation, planting of a 100 foot wide buffer strip from the top of the streambank establishing approximately 2.4 acres of buffer, and enhancing the existing buffer on the immediate streambank by tapering the bank and planting willow tublings and stakes. In 2009, improvements were made to the DEC fishing access parking area and a walking path was improved to the stream.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowner
Complete project report
Schoharie Street Stabilization (2008), Village of Hunter: Stabilization of approximately 120 feet of high stream bank to protect infrastructure and private property. Project includes stacked and pinned rock riprap as well as vegetated beds. GCSWCD and NYCDEP also added additional riparian buffer plantings on the opposite bank. Project construction is complete. Additional plantings were installed in the fall of 2009. The new plantings were balled and burlapped River Birch trees.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, FEMA, Village of Hunter
Complete project report
Lexington Culvert Resizing and Replacement (2007), Town of Lexington: GCSWCD and NYCDEP worked with the Greene County Highway Department to upgrade a significantly undersized culvert that was the source of repetitive flooding in the Hamlet of Lexington. The project had excellent community and landowner support and demonstrated floodplain drainage concepts, proper conveyance sizing to allow fish migration, and a riparian buffer component.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Greene County Highway Department
Complete project report
Prattsville Floodplain Restoration (2005), Town of Prattsville: In 1979, a 10' high gravel berm had been constructed along the left bank of the Schoharie Creek. This berm restricted flood water from accessing the available floodplain beyond the berm and appeared to exacerbate ice jamming on the Schoharie Creek, causing flooding problems within the hamlet of Prattsville. This berm had caused the stream channel to be uncharacteristically entrenched. A high channel width to depth ratio in the reach promoted deposition in the channel. Deposition can promote lodging and adhesion of ice to the bed and formation of ice jams. The top of the berm was at an elevation higher than the road and homes on the east side of the stream causing flood water to encroach on the adjacent homes and roadway before flowing onto its natural floodplain on the east side of the creek. Removal of the berm allowed the stream to spread over its natural floodplain, reducing flooding on the developed side.
Project Partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Town of Prattsville, Army Corps of Engineers
Complete project report