Catskill Streams: Rondout Creek

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Major Streams: Rondout Creek

Introduction

Encompassing approximately 95 square miles, the Rondout Reservoir watershed, is located primarily in Sullivan and Ulster County, NY. The Rondout Reservoir watershed drains mainly two towns – Denning in Ulster County and Neversink in Sullivan County. Small portions of Rochester, Wawarsing, Shandaken and Olive (Ulster) and Fallsburg (Sullivan) are also within the reservoir watershed. The lowest elevation within the watershed is 840 ft at the reservoir and the highest point is near the headwaters of the Rondout Creek at 3,837 ft. The primary tributaries that drain into the Rondout Reservoir are the Chestnut Creek, Trout Creek, Red Brook, Sugarloaf Brook and Rondout Creek. Streams in the Rondout valley are primarily perennial streams, that is, they flow year-round except in smaller headwater streams or in rare, extreme drought conditions.

In order to meet both surface and groundwater needs, both quality and quantity, it was determined that a comprehensive watershed approach was required to document the magnitude of potential impairments, and involve watershed stakeholders in recommending strategies for remediation and management. To date, the Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District (SCSWCD) and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) have completed a stream management plan for the Chestnut Creek and a demonstration restoration project behind the Neversink Town Hall. NYCDEP has plans to conduct a similar study within the Rondout Creek watershed in upcoming years.

Additionally, the nonprofit organization, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, received grant money from the Hudson River Estuary Program to work with communities in the Rondout watershed below the Reservoir. The goal of the project is to engage community members in watershed planning. Already various stakeholders have agreed to participate on a Rondout Watershed Council. Activities planned for upcoming months include Watershed Awareness Training and Stream Monitoring Training.

Maps

Rondout Creek Map

Click here for a larger view of the above map

Rondout Creek Map

Click here for a larger view of the above map

USGS Gage Links

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains 5 continuous-recording stream gages in the Rondout Creek watershed above and below 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
ABOVE
01364959	Rondout Creek near Red Brook at Peekamoose	5.36	May 1996 - Sept 2011
01365000	Rondout Creek near Lowes Corners	38.3	Feb 1937 - present
01365500	Chesnut Creek at Grahamsville	20.9	Oct 1988 - present
BELOW
0136230002	Rondout Creek at Rosendale	383	Aug 1926 - present
01362342	Wallkill River at Gardiner	695	Sep 1924 - present