Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program

The Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program (SWSMP) is the stream management program for the Schoharie Reservoir watershed, and is one of four reservoir-basin scale stream management teams working within the New York City Catskill/Delaware Water Supply watershed. Each of these programs is funded and supported by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Stream Management Program. To learn more about the DEP Stream Management Program, visit the webpage (leaves GCSWCD website) on the Catskill Streams website.

Established in 1996 through partnership between GCSWCD and DEP, the SWSMP seeks to advance state-of-the-art watershed management projects, policies, and programs to improve and protect the streams within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed. Initiatives overseen by the SWSMP were developed in an effort to manage, protect, and restore stream corridors, floodplains, ecosystems, and riparian buffers, while helping communities protect public safety and infrastructure near stream systems. The SWSMP works collaboratively with local municipalities and landowners to provide these services for local communities, while also providing for the protection of the public drinking water supply that reaches a larger population within New York State.  

The following initiatives are available for municipalities and landowners within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed:

• Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI): The CSBI is program that assists streamside landowners in better stewardship of their riparian (streamside) area through protection, enhancement, management, or restoration. Funding and assistance is available for landowners and municipalities for streamside planting projects.
• Stream Management Implementation Program (SMIP): The SMIP is a reimbursement-based grant opportunity administered through the SWSMP. The SMIP provides funding to implement projects, programs, or management efforts that serve to protect water quality within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed.
• Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee (SWAC): Formed in 2008, the SWAC selects priority projects to be funded by the Stream Management Implementation Program (SMIP). SWAC members represent the collective interests of local government, property owners, watershed agencies, non-profit organizations, and interested stakeholders within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed.
• Education & Outreach: The SWSMP develops informational programming and publications to increase the public knowledge of Schoharie Reservoir watershed-related issues and programs.
• Flood Hazard Mitigation: The SWSMP assists with efforts to conduct Local Flood Analyses for population centers of communities located within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed.
• Stream & Floodplain Restoration Projects: The SWSMP assists with the design and implementation of stream and floodplain restoration projects. These projects are designed to reduce rates of erosion and address private and public infrastructure problems, while also improving water quality.
• Stream & Watershed Assessments: The SWSMP assists with stream corridor and watershed assessments. The SWSMP also provides technical assistance for landowners and towns to solve stream-related problems in a manner that improves water quality.
• Stream Management Plans: The SWSMP has completed Stream Management Plans for several major streams within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed. The plans are used to assist watershed municipalities and residents in planning for a sustainable future for their property, infrastructure, water and biological resources.
• SWSMP Action Plans: The annual action plans direct the implementation of Stream Management Plans by distilling large, overarching goals into smaller, more manageable projects.

The SWSMP encourages Schoharie Reservoir watershed towns and villages to assist with stream management implementation by:

• Become familiar with the stream stewardship principles that guide implementation. View the Catskill Streams Principles of Stream Stewardship (leaves GCSWCD website) on the Catskill Streams website.
• Appoint two (primary and alternate) town/village representatives to serve as Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee (SWAC) members. Encourage town/village SWAC representatives to attend SWAC meetings, review materials distributed by SWSMP, and communicate with town/village officials as needed.
• Encourage community participation in SWAC subcommittee meetings (Highway & Infrastructure, Education & Outreach, and Habitat & Recreation).
• Communicate interest in implementing recommendations included within the Stream Management Plans.
• Continue to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between their town/village and GCSWCD. Renewal occurs every 5 years.View an example MOU here.
  The following Schoharie Reservoir watershed towns/villages have MOUs with GCSWCD:
  • [insert list of towns/villages with MOUs]
• Encourage municipal officials and community members to participate in workshops, trainings, and other educational programs offered by SWSMP.
• Promote the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) program to streamside landowners within their community.
• Learn more about the Stream Management Implementation Program (SMIP) reimbursement grant opportunity for the Schoharie Reservoir watershed, consider applying for funding for relevant projects, and promote the program within their community.

Community members can assist with stream management implementation by:

• Become familiar with the stream stewardship principles that guide implementation. View the Catskill Streams Principles of Stream Stewardship (leaves GCSWCD website) on the Catskill Streams website.
• Attend Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee (SWAC) meetings, which are open to the public.
• Participate in SWAC subcommittee meetings (Highway & Infrastructure, Education & Outreach, and Habitat & Recreation) as appropriate.
• Communicate interest in implementing recommendations included within the Stream Management Plans.
• Participate in workshops, trainings, and other educational programs offered by SWSMP.
• Learn about the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) program and promote the program to streamside landowners within their community.
• Learn about the Stream Management Implementation Program (SMIP) reimbursement grant opportunity for the Schoharie Reservoir watershed and promote the program within their community.

For additional information on the Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program contact Abbe Martin, Conservation District Program Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (518) 622-3620.