Protecting Our Streams & Waterways

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NYS Flood Study Initiative

The Governor's office issued a series of flood and ice jam studies throughout target watersheds across New York State. SLR engineering firm completed the study at target watersheds in Rockland County. These target watersheds include the Minisceongo Creek, Sparkill Creek, Mahwah River, and Hackensack River.

The SLR team hosted public meetings to share the scope of the study with government officials and community members. The SLR team conducted field research at flood prone sections of each watershed as well as sites that are missing hydraulic modeling data. The engineers completed a formal report with recommendations to address flooding in each watershed. A final stakeholder meeting was held to share the results of the study.

Stream Biomonitoring Water Quality Project

The purpose of these studies is to sample 20 stream sites each year within Rockland County for benthic (bottom dwelling) invertebrates (2006 - 2019) to determine both water quality and the source of impact affecting a site, if any, based on the invertebrate populations. The studies were funded by the Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). The assessment and reports are completed using the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Professional External Evaluations of Rivers and Streams protocol.

County planning and development agencies may use the data and analysis obtained from this project for planning purposes (e.g., increase the riparian buffer in areas where the streams were classified as slightly to moderately impacted).

Beginning in 2017, the SWCD focused the studies on investigating the impacts of culverts on waterways and the surrounding benthic environment. The 2017 report below includes an assessment of impaired culverts along Sherwood Farm Lane and Swim Club Road in Stony Point. The 2018 report includes an assessment of impaired culverts along Crescent Road in Haverstraw. The 2019 report includes an assessment of the culvert along Margaret Keahon Drive in the Town of Orangetown.

The 2006-2016 baseline and long term monitoring reports are available below.