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.