Batavia Kill Stream Management Plan
As a component of the Batavia Kill Stream Management Pilot Project, the Batavia Kill Stream Management Plan (SMP) was developed after 4 years of watershed and stream corridor assessment in the Batavia Kill watershed. Since 1997, GCSWCD and NYCDEP have been assessing watershed conditions, monitoring stream stability and undertaking demonstration restoration projects. Based on the data collected and input from various watershed stakeholders, the GCSWCD and NYCDEP completed the Batavia Kill SMP in 2003.
Restoration Projects
Based on recommendations set forth in the Batavia Kill Stream Management Plan, GCSWCD and NYC DEP have completed several Batavia Kill restoration projects in order to improve and help protect water quality in the Schoharie basin.
Holden Stream Restoration Project (on schedule for completion in 2012)
Town of Ashland
Based on GCSWCD's historical monitoring, this project reach is characterized as being highly unstable, a condition which has been ongoing for many years. Instability is likely due to a combination of several factors including past management practices, poor riparian conditions, valley morphology and road impacts. The restoration strategy recommended for this stream reach consists of a geomorphically-based full channel restoration similar to that undertaken at the Ashland Connector, Conine, Brandywine, Maier Farm and Big Hollow reaches. The proposal includes stream bank and channel excavation to achieve stable geometry, and installation of in-stream stabilization structures such as rock vanes and cross vanes. The proposal also includes various vegetative treatments such as live willow fascines, live willow stakes, seeding and mulching with a specially designed riparian seed mix, and planting of tree and shrub species that are adapted to stream-side conditions.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners, Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee
More information on this project
Partridge Road Culvert Replacement (2011)
Town of Ashland
The primary project objective is to reduce risk and provide safe conveyance of storm flow associated with excessive rainfall events. Other objectives include: reduce impact on stream morphology upstream and downstream of the culvert crossing, provide fish passage of native fishes at all life stages at appropriate times and flows, and provide the transport of sediment and woody debris downstream for storage in a natural manner conducive to maintaining natural habitat conditions in the watershed. To meet the proposed goals and objectives of the project the culvert will be designed to maximize the cross-sectional area in relation to the existing road profile and upstream and downstream channel inverts and cover constraints. Following construction, a combination of dormant plant materials, riparian seed mixtures, and plantings of live trees and shrubs will be installed to initiate the development of a functioning riparian community.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, SWAC, FEMA, Town of Ashland
Windham Mountain Stormwater Retrofit (2006-2010)
Town of Windham
The 600 acre area around Windham Mountain Ski Center that drains to the Batavia Kill represents one of the most developed areas within the Schoharie basin. In 2006, project partners developed a plan to address stormwater impacts from several areas containing limited or no stormwater controls. In 2008, partners began the design of the first phase of the plan to address runoff from 16 acres of commercial land use, including the ski center parking areas, maintenance facility and several indentified stormwater hotspot locations. Treatments included reducing the natural slopes of the parking areas by providing terracing, resurfacing, and an improved conveyance system that delivers stormwater to an existing snowmaking impoundment. A pond forebay and a new staged outlet structure were built to provide water quality treatment and extended detention of stormwater runoff that will result in the direct treatment of several acres of impervious parking area to NYS standards for new construction. The removal of a large culvert, installation of an engineered rock riffle and removal of abandoned piping was also performed on an adjoining tributary to enhance stream stability. In 2009, the design was completed and the necessary permits were obtained. Project construction occurred in 2010.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Windham Mtn, CWC, ACOEs
Sugar Maples Stream Restoration and Stormwater Project (2009)
Hamlet of Maplecrest
This project included three components: riparian plantings along the Batavia Kill, stormwater treatment, and restoration of a tributary to the Batavia Kill. In 2008, Japanese knotweed was removed along ~370' of the Batavia Kill, which was subsequently planted with native riparian species. Also in 2008, stormwater components were initiated with an upgraded conveyance system and demolition of a single building to reduce impervious surfaces and to allow for construction of the pervious 
grass parking area. In 2009, the project was completed with the installation of a permeable grass parking lot (~2,400 sq. ft.), rain gardens (7 total), wetland (treats 4.7 acres of runoff), porous walkways and riparian planting beds. The stream restoration portion of this project was designed to restore stream and wetland functions to a Batavia Kill tributary that was historically channelized with mortared stone walls. In 2009, 550 linear feet of stream were repaired, 2 culverts were replaced and were properly sized to convey a 10-year flow, ~1200 sedge plugs, 250 trees and shrubs, 340 willow stakes, ~42 feet of willow fascine, and 1,584 herbaceous plugs were installed. In addition, the entire disturbed area was seeded and mulched with rye for temporary stabilization, and riparian mix for long-term vegetative development.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, ACOEs, Catskill Mtn Foundation, Greene County Highway Department
- More photos and information on the Sugar Maples Stream Restoration and Stormwater Project
- Complete stormwater project report
- Complete stream restoration project report
Kastanis Riparian Restoration (2009)
Town of Ashland
The primary project objective was to restore a riparian area that was previously used for agriculture. The scope of the project included riparian buffer plantings of approximately 1,400 trees and shrubs on the adjacent river terrace, set back from the stream, that are intended to enhance the overall ecological function of the riparian corridor.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowner
Complete project report
Conine Stream Restoration Project (2007)
Town of Prattsville
In 1997, inventories identified sections of large-scale erosion and bank failures along the Conine reach of the Batavia Kill, which seemed to have a negative impact on water quality. The position of the channel and evidence of recent channel migration and excessive sedimentation indicated that natural recovery was improbable in the near future without human intervention. The redesigned channel included the complete realignment of 1,650 linear feet of stream. Channel reconstruction included modification of the channel geometry and stream channel profile, floodplain, and adjoining banks and terraces. The design included two primary types of rock structures including single-arm vanes and cross vanes to promote channel stability during vegetation reestablishment. The project established 4.5 acres of riparian buffer achieved through the planting of appropriate vegetation, the implementation of a Japanese Knotweed management plan, and the establishment of 0.5 acres of compensatory wetlands along and adjacent to the Batavia Kill.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners
Complete project report
Ashland Connector Stream Restoration Project (2006)
Town of Ashland
Three demonstration projects were installed during the first phase of the Batavia Kill Pilot Project including the Big Hollow, Brandywine, and Maier Farm Stream Restoration Projects. The restoration of the Ashland Connector Reach·was the first project within the second phase of the program, and served to connect the Brandywine and Maier Farm Projects, resulting in over two miles of restored stream channel. The project reach is located near the middle of the Batavia Kill main stem, in the Town of Ashland, upstream of the County Route 17 Bridge. The primary goal of this restoration project was to mitigate excessive turbidity and total suspended solids impact on water quality by addressing excessive lateral erosion through the use of natural channel design. The restoration strategy selected for the project reach involved the construction of a Rosgen C4 stream type with meandering riffle pool channel morphology.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners
Complete project report
Big Hollow Stream Restoration Project (2001)
Hamlet of Maplecrest
A natural channel design approach was used in this project to address excessive stream instability for the purpose of improving water quality.In total, approximately 60rock vanes were incorporated along 19meander bends to assist in reducing shear stress and bank erosion, while allowing for the long-term establishment of vegetation. The design also incorporated 12 cross vanes to provide grade control. Root wads were incorporated into the project primarily for habitat enhancement and to provide increased bank stabilization in high stress areas. Finally, the project design included the use of traditional bioengineering practices to provide for increased streambank stability and to initiate riparian vegetation growth in disturbed areas.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners, Town of Windham
Complete project report
Brandywinie Restoration Project (1999/2000)
Town of Ashland
The restoration of the Brandywine project reach was the second large scale effort implemented in the Batavia Kill stream corridor. The Brandywine Stream Restoration Project is located in the center of the Batavia Kill mainstem in the Town of Ashland. The project reach drainage is modified due to its location below the Batavia Kill’s three flood control structures. The Brandywine project reach is approximately 3800 feet in length and runs parallel with State Highway 23. The design process for the Brandywine site was very similar to the Maier Farm site. Project site obstacles included: limited belt width available due to the presence of a farm field, an access roadway, a wetland area, and the lack of a good C4 reference reach. The project also required a strategy to address the West Settlement Creek, a major tributary which entered the stream in the middle of the reach.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP, Private Landowners
Complete project report
Maier Farm Restoration Project (1999)
Town of Ashland
The Maier Farm Demonstration Site was the first restoration project conducted under the Batavia Kill Stream Corridor Management Pilot Project. Initial assessments of the project began in the summer of 1997 with the placement of monitoring cross sections and surveys of key morphological features. The Maier Farm site presented a classic C4 type stream which was undergoing active changes in its channel geometry. In several places along the project reach, down valley meander migration was causing significant bank erosion. Erosion losses totaled over 20 feet per year. The final project design included the development of a stable channel geometry, channel cross section, and streambed profile for a C4 stream type. The design also included the construction of various rock structures to reduce shear stress on the outer streambanks. GCSWCD and NYC DEP also used live fascines and live posts were to stabilize the streambanks.
Project partners: GCSWCD, NYCDEP
Complete project report