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Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan

  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Action Plans
    • Ashokan Watershed Stakeholder Council
    • Working Groups and Committees
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  • Areas of Focus
    • Assistance to Streamside Landowners
    • Enhancing and Protecting Water Quality
    • Floodplain Management
    • Improving Aquatic and Riparian Habitat
    • Increasing Public Access to Streams
    • Streamside Infrastructure
  • Explore the Watershed
    • Stream Recreation and Activities
    • Esopus Creek
    • Beaver Kill
    • Birch Creek
    • Broadstreet Hollow Creek
    • Bush Kill
    • Bushnellsville Creek
    • Fox Hollow Creek
    • Little Beaver Kill
    • Peck Hollow Creek
    • Stony Clove Creek
    • Warner Creek
    • Woodland Valley Creek
  • Projects & Funding
    • Featured Projects
    • SMIP Funding for Infrastructure Improvements
    • SMIP Project Insurance Requirements
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    • Subcontractor Approval Policy
  • Conferences & Training
    • Catskill Environmental Research & Monitoring Conference (CERM)
    • Ashokan Watershed Conference 2017
    • Ashokan Watershed Weekend Events — Summer 2020
    • Ashokan Watershed Month
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Streamside Infrastructure

Bridge across Esopus Creek

Anyone visiting the Ashokan Watershed may notice the number of roads crossing the streams. If not properly sized and placed, roads, bridges and culverts can create problems for the stream and surrounding communities. A bridge that is too small can constrict and back up water. This backed-up water may flood nearby properties and cause rocks and debris to accumulate behind the bridge. Flood flows diverting around sediment and debris piles can erode streambanks and undercut bridge supports. Culverts (usually hard plastic or metal pipes that convey water underneath a road crossing) that are too small often have the same effect. If crossings are not aligned properly with the stream course, they can direct water into streambanks and cause erosion. Undersized or improperly installed culverts can become fish passage barriers.

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) works with local, county, and state highway departments to properly size and align stream crossings in order to promote channel stability, prevent flooding and debris build-up, and maintain aquatic organism passage. These improvements have the benefit of increasing the lifespan of road infrastructure and reducing damage during high water events.

Ashokan Watershed Stream Management logo (in white)

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Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program

PO Box 667
3130 State Route 28
Shokan, NY 12481
845 688 3047
845 688 3130 (fax)

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