Six Mile Creek Sediment Projects Gearing Up

Provided by the Tompkins County SWCD staff

Eroding banks on 6-Mile Creek deliver sediment to the lake.

During the Tompkins County SWCD's conservation tour in November, District Manager Craig Schutt presented the Town of Caroline and its Watershed Committee with a Watershed Enhancement and Protection Award for their work along Six Mile Creek. But Caroline's Watershed Committee isn't the only organization doing good things along Six Mile Creek. In fact, with the watershed targeted as a high priority for sediment load reductions, Caroline, the SWCD, and the City of Ithaca have pulled in nearly $600,000 for a comprehensive approach to stabilizing the stream and reducing sediment loads to Cayuga Lake. "Good things are happening because of all our hard work on the RPP," noted Schutt.

Work planned for the next several years highlights the restructuring of nearly a half mile of highly eroded stream channel in Slaterville. Additional sites for restoration are being selected and several small sites have already seen reconstruction. To compliment these intensive, site-specific projects, a comprehensive list of tools to protect the entire stream corridor is being developed. The SWCD has received significant funding from USDA and HUD to implement voluntary agricultural practices, such as stream fencing, improved laneways, alternate water sources for cattle, and riparian buffers- all of which reduce stream erosion associated with cattle access. The City of Ithaca has also received state and Federal funding to develop several demonstration buffer projects. Along with stream habitat and buffer restoration, stream-side, or "riparian" forest management will be a focus for land-owner educational efforts.

Finally, townships are making their contributions as well. Besides taking on much of the administrative responsibility for the above-mentioned restoration project, Caroline has purchased hydro-seeders to ensure that roadway ditches are quickly reseeded to minimize erosion. Along with the City of Ithaca, they are also working with the Conservation District to complete a full-corridor stream survey. The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network will assist these efforts with volunteer planting projects, educational workshops, and on-the-ground presentations at restoration sites beginning in 2003. Look for future announcements.