Major Streams: Schoharie Creek

Introduction

Encompassing approximately 315 square miles, the Schoharie Reservoir watershed, is located primarily in Greene County, NY. The Schoharie Creek drains eight Greene County municipalities, not including direct drainage to the reservoir, including large sections of the Towns of Prattsville, Lexington, Jewett, Hunter, Ashland, Windham and the Villages of Hunter and Tannersville. Traveling from east (Hunter) to west (Prattsville), the primary tributaries that drain into the Schoharie Creek are the East Kill, West Kill, Little West Kill, Batavia Kill, Huntersfield Creek, Johnson Hollow Brook, and directly into the reservoir the Bear Kill and Manor Kill. The major streams within the Schoharie watershed tend to have long, narrow watersheds running east to west. This drainage pattern is controlled by the steep topography, formed in large part during the last period of glacial activity. Streams in the Schoharie valley are primarily perennial streams, that is, they flow year-round except in smaller headwater streams or in 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 this end, the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) have conducted extensive watershed assessments, authored four management plans for the various major basins and have embarked on an extensive restoration and outreach campaign.

Maps

Click here for a larger view of the above map

Click here for a larger view of the above map

Click on the links below for more maps:
Batavia Kill Fishing Easement Map
East Kill – Fishing Easement Map
East Kill Parks and Preserves Map
Schoharie Creek Parks and Preserves Map

Schoharie Basin Recreation Map
Schoharie Creek Fishing Easement Map
West Kill Fishing Easement Map

USGS Gage Links

Click here for The United States Geological Survey

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains 12 continuous-recording stream gages in the Schoharie Creek 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.

Demonstration Restoration Projects

Click on the following links for more information:
Batavia Kill: Ashland Project Report
West Kill: R.A. Hill Stables Demonstration Project Report (file size 9 MB)
West Kill: Westkill Stream Restoration Demonstration Project Report
East Kill: East Kill Farber Farm Restoration Project Report
Schoharie Creek: 2007 Proposed Schoharie Projects

Stream Management Plans

Click here for Intro and links to Stream Management Plans

Click on the following links for more information:
Schoharie Creek and East Kill
West Kill
Batavia Kill
Batavia Kill: Executive Summary of the Batavia Kill Stream Management Plan

Basin Specific Studies

Click here for Effectiveness of Stream Restoration in Reducing Stream Bank Erosion: The Case of Batavia Kill Stream Restoration Projects, New York (Chen, Y. et al., 2005)

Click here for Summary of Schoharie Wildlife and Fishery

SCHOHARIE BASIN STREAM MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION WORK PLAN, 2007 – 2009

Contact Information