Recommendation 1: Support continued stream feature inventories (SFI) in the tributary streams to the Esopus that have not been previously assessed. The SFI’s are used to help diagnose stream corridor condition and to help identify stream erosion hazards that may require some treatment.
The Ashokan watershed SMP Program Team utilizes a three phased approach to watershed and stream assessment. Phase 1 is a watershed and corridor scale assessment that utilizes readily available information to assess stream channel and corridor condition. One of the results of a Phase 1 assessment is the delineation of the stream into “geomorphic” reaches or management units. Phase 2 includes (1) a stream reconnaissance to conduct a feature inventory to further assess the stream at the geomorphic reach scale; and (2) supplemental investigations that support characterizing the stream geomorphic condition, flooding conditions, and sediment loading. Minimally, Phase 2 provides field-based, georeferenced observations of the occurrence of erosion, fine sediment sources, riparian condition, management practices, large woody debris, etc. Phase 3 consists of detailed topographic surveys and geomorphic assessments at the sub-reach scale as part of a long term monitoring program and/or evaluation of appropriate BMP solutions for sections of stream. The table summarizes the assessment status for streams currently included as part of the Ashokan watershed SMP program.
Action Item 1.1 The Project Team will complete Phase 1 assessments for two streams during the two year planning period (2009 – 2011). Candidate streams include Birch Creek and Beaver Kill in the Esopus watershed and Bush Kill in the Town of Olive. A Phase 1 assessment was completed for Woodland Valley in 2008 and documentation will be completed in 2009.
- a. Lead Agency: UC SWCD
- b. Other Partners: DEP, CCE, NRCS, Volunteers
- c. Existing Activities:
- i. Woodland Valley Phase 1 assessment (2007 – 2008)
- d. Possible Activities to Address Action Items:
- i. Phase 1 assessment and documentation using Program protocol for Beaver Kill, Birch Creek, and/or Bush Kill streams.
- e. Planned Activities/Outcome(s) for 2009 – 2011 Ashokan Action Plan:
- i. Assessment and brief report (with maps) documenting Phase 1 results and Phase 2 recommendations for each assessed stream
- ii. Geodatabase and associated ArcGIS files
Action Item 1.2 The Project Team will complete Phase 2 assessments for the same two streams selected for Phase 1 during the two year planning period (2009 – 2011). A Phase 2 assessment was completed for Woodland Valley in 2008 and documentation will be completed in 2009.
- a. Lead Agency: UC SWCD
- b. Other Partners: DEP, CCE, NRCS, Volunteers
- c. Existing Activities:
- i. Woodland Valley Phase 2 assessment (2007 – 2008)
- d. Possible Activities to Address Action Item:
- i. Phase 2 assessment and documentation using Program protocol for Beaver Kill, Birch Creek, and/or Bush Kill streams.
- e. Planned Activities/Outcome(s) for 2009 – 2011 Ashokan Action Plan:
- i. Assessment and brief report (with maps and photos) documenting Phase 2 results and Phase 3 recommendations for each assessed stream
- ii. Geodatabase and associated ArcGIS files
Action Item 1.3 The Project Team will complete Phase 3 activities at select sites throughout the previously assessed streams during the two year planning period (2009 – 2011) and on through 2013. Site selection and specific activities (e.g. Rosgen Level III assessment, topographic surveys, sediment sampling) will be based on Phase 2 findings and program resources.
- a. Lead Agency: UC SWCD
- b. Other Partners: DEP, CCE, NRCS, Volunteers
- c. Existing Activities:
- i. Monumented geomorphic survey sites in Stony Clove, Broadstreet Hollow, Esopus Creek and Woodland Creek.
- d. Possible Activities to Address Action Item:
- i. Resurvey set of monumented cross sections in previously assessed streams to monitor changes in channel morphology and condition.
- ii. Redo Rosgen Level III Assessments (e.g. BEHI and NBS) at previously assessed sites to reestablish an annual monitoring program.
- iii. Establish new Rosgen Level III Assessment sites in the Ashokan watershed.
- iv. Develop bank erodibility curves based on Rosgen Level III monitoring after two years of data collection.
- e. Planned Activities/Outcome(s) for 2009 – 2011 Ashokan Action Plans:
- i. Assessment and brief annual reports documenting Phase 3 results and recommendations for each assessed stream reach. Minimum effort will be to establish a Rosgen Level III reach assessment and monitoring program for the Ashokan watershed with the initial assessment of at least three reaches per assessed stream.
- ii. Geodatabase and associated ArcGIS files
- iii. Survey data in RiverMorph and/or AutoCAD files
Recommendation 2: Support further riparian corridor assessment for the tributaries to Upper Esopus Creek not previously investigated.
Action Item 2.1 Complete riparian corridor assessments for the streams to be assessed in Action Item 1.1. using the Program established protocol.
- a. Lead Agency: UC SWCD
- b. Other Partners: DEP, SCA Intern, CCE, External Contracts
- c. Existing Activities:
- i. Woodland Valley Assessment
- d. Possible Activities to Address Action Item:
- i. 2009 Assessment and documentation
- ii. 2010 Assessment and documentation
- iii. Disseminate findings to landowners and communities in the watershed and to entities working in the watershed
- e. Planned Activities for 2009-2011 Ashokan Plan
- i. All possible activities listed above