Stream Management Program – Interactive Project Pages
These pages provide information on a selection of full channel stream restoration, stormwater and infrastructure, riparian buffer restoration, streambank stabilization, and floodplain restoration projects that have been constructed to meet multiple objectives including: water quality enhancement, infrastructure protection, improved flood conveyance and sediment transport, improved fish habitat, improved riparian functions and natural channel design demonstrations.
Introduction
The Upper Esopus Creek watershed covers a 192 mi2 area in the South-central Catskill mountain region of southeast New York State. The entire 26-mile course of the creek flows “clockwise” in a sweeping arc from the headwaters at Winnisook Lake on Slide Mountain to the Ashokan Reservoir.
Upper Esopus Creek and its tributary network drain some of the most rugged terrain in the Catskill Mountains. There are 21 peaks greater than 3000 feet above sea level (ft asl) that are drained by this network. Among them is Slide Mountain, the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,120 ft asl. The base elevation in the watershed at Ashokan Reservoir is 633 ft asl. The resulting streams are steep erosive forces as water and sediment make the quick descent from mountain top to the base of the watershed at the reservoir. The watershed includes at least 330 miles of stream.
Maps
Click photos above to view full size.
Click on the links below for more maps:
Bedrock Geology
Glacial Geology
Bank Erosion
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Locations
USGS Gage Links
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains 11 continuous-recording stream gages in the West Branch Delaware River watershed above the Reservoir. These gages measure the stage, or height, of the water surface at a specific location, updating the measurement every 15 minutes. Click on the Station ID number of your gage of interest to receive real-time water surface data from USGS.
| Station ID | Station Name | Drainage Area (Mi_) | Current Period of Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01362200 | Esopus Creek @ Allaben, NY |
63.7
|
Sep 1988 – present |
| 01362500 | Esopus Creek at Coldbrook, NY |
192
|
Oct 1931 – present |
| 013621955 | Birch Cr at Big Indian |
12.5
|
Oct 1998 – present |
| 01362230 | Diversion From Schoharie Reservoir | Dec 1996 – present | |
| 0136230002 | Woodland Creek above mouth at Phoenicia, NY | 20.57 | Oct 2003 – present |
| 01362342 | Hollow Tree Brook at Lanesville, NY | 1.95 | Oct 1997 – present |
| 01362380 | Stony Clove Creek nr Phoenicia, NY | 31.5 | Feb 1997 – present |
| 01362497 | Little Beaver Kill @ Beechford nr Mt. Tremper, NY | 16.5 | Oct 1997 – present |
Demonstration Restoration Projects
Click here for Esopus Creek Restoration Project Report
Click here for Esopus Creek Project Power Point (file size 9.6 MB)
Stony Clove: Click here for Lanesville Demonstration Project
Stream Management Plans
Click here for Intro and links to Stream Management Plans
Click here for Watershed Overview
Click on the following links for more information:
Broadstreet Hollow:
Broadstreet Hollow Restoration Project Implementation Report (2.2 Mb)
Broadstreet Hollow Restoration Project Monitoring Report (Appendix F of above report)(4.2 MB)
Ashokan Watershed Action Plan(s)
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2023-2025
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2022-2024
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2021-2023
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2020-2022
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2019-2021
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2018-2020
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2017-2019
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2016-2018
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2015-2017
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2014-2016
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2013-2015
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2011-2013
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2010-2012
Action Plan to Guide Stream Management Plan Implementation, 2009-2011
Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan Implementation Funding
Mini Grant Program – The mini grant provides up to $5000 for education, training, community programs, small projects etc. in the Ashokan Watershed. Click here for application materials.
Matching Grant Program – The matching grant provides up to $100,000 or 25% of the cost of a project (whatever is less) to either match a grant or enhance a funded project that helps to implement stream management program recommendations. Eligible categories are research, community projects, training and education, and stream projects. Click here for application materials.
Ashokan Watershed Specific Studies and Publications
Ulster County Riparian Reference Final Report 2012
Technical Data & Resources – Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program
Guide to Stream Friendly Practices for Common Streamside Projects
Contact Information
For information on the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and the principal streams, contact Leslie Zucker, Cornell Cooperative Extension – Ulster County and/or Jake Wedemeyer, Ulster County Soil and Water District at 845-883-7162.
The NYCDEP project manager is Dave Burns who can be contacted at 845-340-7850. The program website is www.ashokanstreams.org.