USGS fish survey data from 2009–15 is now available online. The fish surveys documented the recent decline and rebound of Rainbow Trout populations. Seven sites in the upper Esopus Creek were surveyed annually since 2009 — three sites on the main stem of the Esopus Creek and four on major tributaries near their confluences with the Esopus. Relatively large numbers of young-of-the-year Rainbow Trout were observed at most sites in 2015. The cause of the decline observed from 2009–13, whether natural variation or due to changes in the system, remains unknown. AWSMP provided funding for the annual fish survey and report, available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/0992/ds992.pdf
The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is a collaborative effort of New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District.