Kensico Dam as it stands today in Valhalla was built in 1916 by the NYC Board of Water Supply.
The Kensico Reservoir, traveling south on Route 22 looking towards the Kensico Dam.
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The Kensico Watershed
December 23, 2008
The Kensico
watershed area covers 9.9 square miles or a total of about 6,000 acres
including the Kensico Reservoir in the towns of North Castle, Harrison, Mount Pleasant, New Castle and Greenwich, Ct. The reservoir delivers
1.3 billion gallons of water a day to nearly nine million downstate
residents.
The Reservoir holds 30.6 billion gallons of water at full
capacity. Nearly 90% of water consumed in NYC flows through the Kensico
Reservoir. It is the most densely populated watershed in the Catskill/Delaware system. Kensico Dam as it stands today in Valhalla
was built in 1916 by the NYC Board of Water Supply.
Kensico
Watershed Land Use adapted from NYCDEP Kensico Watershed Study, July
1997
(new developments since 1997 not taken into account):
Industrial/ Commercial/Pave 2.0mi 1,260 acres 20% of land area Residential 2.9mi 1,848 acres 29% Open Space 3.9mi 2,436 acres 38.5% Undeveloped 1.2mi 775 acres 12%
The reservoir receives most of its water from two huge aqueducts that
transports water from New York City’s
six west-of-Hudson Reservoirs in
the Catskill and Delaware watershed systems. Upstate water is usually held in Kensico Reservoir for 15 to 20 days before heading south into
the smaller Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers for distribution to New York
City’s five boroughs, the cities of Yonkers and Mount Vernon and other
southern Westchester towns. The holding period provides an opportunity
for settling of impurities, including solids and microorganisms.
Although pollution runoff is a recognized problem of the reservoir, the
quality of water leaving the Kensico
Reservoir meets the state and
federal water quality standards. Warning signs do indicate that
preventative steps should be taken to protect the water quality of the
Kensico watershed. Water flowing into the reservoir from surrounding
properties is responsible for most of the pollution threatening the
Kensico Reservoir.
During the past 40 years, portions of
the Kensico watershed have experienced a development boom. IBM’s is one
of North Castle’s corporations located in the Kensico watershed. The
450 acre international headquarter complex was built in the 1960s and includes three buildings; the headquarter building of 283,500 sq. ft;
IBM Credit Corp. building is 420,000 sq. ft. housing over 1,000
employees; and IBM Learning Center of 130,000 sq ft; plus parking to
accommodate 429 vehicles.
Other significant corporate
development projects in North Castle’s Kensico watershed include Swiss Re and MBIA. Swiss Re American Corporate Headquarters site is an office
complex of 127 acres and a 360,000 sq. ft building located within 1,000
feet from the Kensico Reservoir. Their underground parking facilities
include spaces for more than 1,000 vehicles. MBIA, Municipal Bond
Investor Assurance Corporation Headquarters consist of a 235,000 sq.
ft. facility. The property is 15.7 acres with on-site parking for 678
vehicles. This property is adjacent to the buffer of the NYC owned
property.
Located in North Castle adjacent to the
Armonk Bowl property are three recently built residential communities
on Old Route 22 in Armonk; Whippoorwill Hills, Whippoorwill Ridge and Cider Mill. Whippoorwill Hills is an 82 acre lot developed into 135 of
one-and two-family houses and recreation center. Whippoorwill Ridge is
a 24 acre parcel with 50-60 individual and multi family units. Cider
Mill, the most recent community built was the former 80 year old
Schultz’s Cider Mill Farm that is now 27 units in a village like
setting.
Intensifying development has New York City
Department of Environmental Protection purchasing property in North
Castle to protect the water supply in the all-important Kensico
Reservoir. The EPA recommended that the NYCDEP protect open space areas
by utilizing the Land Acquisition program in Kensico watershed.
The NYCDEP’s acquisition of Armonk Bowl property is critical to the
Kensico watershed to minimize impact of new growth and pollution of the
Reservoir. The property includes Bear Gutter Creek, an important
waterway leading to the Kensico Reservoir. The creek begins on
Whippoorwill Road, runs through a pond on The Sluder
Preserve, on Old
Route 22, and crosses the Armonk Bowl property, under Kasal and
Labriola Courts flowing into the concrete detention basin inlet on
Route 120 and continuing south passing under Route 22 to the Kensico
Reservoir.
According to The North Castle Town Board minutes,
The Town Planner, Adam Kaufman suggested that the former Armonk Bowl site be open to the public for recreational use, such as hiking and limited trail development. NYCDEP responded by letter that it would be
inappropriate to plan alternative uses of the site at this time, but
that all existing structure and impervious surfaces will be removed.
Furthermore, Kaufman said that the letter advised North Castle that plans are being considered for “a
future wetlands mitigation site in connection with plans for “an
I-684/Rte 120 project.” A project was proposed in 1997 and is currently
at a stand still with no timetable for completion included The NY State Department of Transportation (DOT) to widen a 1.2
mile stretch of Route 120 from two lanes to a four lane roadway and to
expand Route 22 with an additional traffic lane, as well as two paved
shoulders and a paved median where the roadway is 20 feet close to the
reservoir. According to the NRDC, (Natural Resources Defense Council)
NYCDEP was cooperating with the DOT by providing the use for watershed
land to facilitate the project, but met with objections from many
environmental groups.
Information for this article has been taken http://www.NRDC.org/
water/drinking/attack/kensico.asp
Boating is by permit at Wampus Pond.
North Castle Water District No.2 Annual Water Supply Report for 2006 The source of drinking water for North Castle Water District No.2 is pumped from four (4) wells, where the supply is chlorinated. The water supply is pumped from the Mianus Aquifer located within the gravel pit area of Windmill Farms, at the intersection of Windmill and Long Pond Roads. Water District No. 2 serves approximately 1200 people through 372 service connections. IMPORTANT WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE The need to conserve water during times of drought is obvious to all. It is just as important to use water wisely when the supply is plentiful. However, with the ever-increasing installation of automatic irrigation systems, it is mandatory that we begin a water conservation program relative to irrigation. Most systems have automatic programmable timers, in addition to which we will require that rain sensors be installed, so as to avoid needless watering. The following irrigation practices will be enforced for all irrigation. Homes with even numbered addresses will water even numbered days, and homes with odd numbered addresses will water on odd numbered days. These restrictions shall apply all year, even during non-drought periods. Your cooperation in this matter will be appreciated. The water supplied in Water District No.2 is not Fluoridated! Annual Water Supply Report for 2007 All water consumed in North Castle Water District No.7 during this year was provided by Water District No. 4, pumping from a combination of six (6) wells. Two are located within the Town Park on the former IBM property, two are located within the Whippoorwill Ridge subdivision, and two are located on School Street. The water supply at each source is chlorinated, the supply at the School Street location is also filtered for iron removal prior to system distribution. Water District No. 4 serves approximately 1200 people through 350 service connections. Also, Water District No. 4 sells water to North Castle Water District No. 5 which serves 350 people through 117 service connections and Water District No.7, which serves approximately 100 people through 22 service connections. Source:Northcastleny.com
North Castle’s wetlands ordinance protects multiple wetlands of all sizes, as well as a surrounding buffer zones or 100
to 150 feet (depending on the steepness of any slopes). However, to successfully protect
small wetlands, which often support a unique biodiversity
that cannot be found in larger wetlands, one first needs to know where
they are located. Broad-scale wetlands maps often fail to identify
smaller wetlands and as a result, they tend to “slip” through
regulatory “cracks.” North Castle's Biodiversity Plan recommends mapping all wetlands including identification of all small wetlands. This is preferable
to identifying wetlands reactively (as development proposals are
submitted) and would provide the town's Conservation Board a regional context which
will assist them in making informed planning choices. Although a labor-
intensive task, mapping vernal pools would be a prudent next step for
North Castle to undertake. A volunteer, citizen-scientist mapping
program may help to make this a practical task. Procedures and
considerations for mapping vernal pools on a town-wide basis are
provided in MCA Technical Paper No. 5 (Calhoun and Klemens 2002).
Source: North Castle Biodiversity Plan by Danielle T. LaBruna, M.A. and Michael W. Klemens, Ph.D. Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, Michael W. Klemens, LLC
Congressional Committee Authorizes Major Funding Increase for Long Island Sound Restoration
Audubon News Release
Audubon Applauds Long Island Sound Congressional Caucus, Urges Swift Passage by House and Senate
Washington, DC, October 28, 2009 – Today, the Congressional Conference Committee on Interior Appropriations released its report authorizing $7 million for protecting and restoring Long Island Sound, more than double the funding received last year. This funding will be split between the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Acts, and stimulate efforts to improve water quality and protect important open spaces around this critical national treasure. The Sound is a national, as well as regional resource. The Sound is an economic engine, pumping an estimated $8 billion per year into the regional economy. Approximately 10% of the U.S. population, or 28 million people, live within 50 miles of the Sound, making it one of the most well-known and widely-used natural resources in the nation. Unfortunately, this population density has also led to increasingly poor ecosystem health. Protecting the last remaining open spaces around the Sound and restoring the health of its waters is imperative for both people and wildlife. “Today is a great day for Long Island Sound, and this increased funding will jumpstart desperately needed water quality improvements, habitat protection initiatives, and enhanced public access opportunities, ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy a cleaner Long Island Sound.,” Said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York, the state program of the National Audubon Society. “We applaud our Congressional champions, especially Congressman Israel, Congresswoman Lowey, Congressman Bishop, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and the rest of the Long Island Sound Congressional Caucus members for fighting hard for this critical funding. We urge the House and Senate to act quickly and pass this important bill.” “This is great news for Long Island Sound and the people and wildlife that depend on it,” said Tom Baptist, executive director of Audubon Connecticut, the state organization of the National Audubon Society. “This funding will enable us to make real progress improving water quality in the estuary, and protecting key habitat and recreation areas along our coasts. We applaud our Congressional Delegation who worked so hard to secure this funding, Especially Congresswoman DeLauro, Congressman Himes, Congressman Courtney, and Senators Lieberman and Dodd.” Baptist added, “and send kudos to the many individuals and organizations who spoke out in support of this critical funding for the Sound.” Long Island Sound Restoration Act (first authorized in 2000 and again in 2005) Authorizes up to $40 million per year for projects to reduce nitrogen loading and improve and monitor water quality; and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act (authorized in 2006) authorizes up to $25 million per year for acquisition of land and easements that protect and enhance important ecological and recreational sites around the Sound, and promote public access to this amazing natural treasure. These federal funds, along with accompanying state and municipal investments, are an important source of job creation in the region. Estimates are that one full-time position is created for every $50,000 – $100,000 invested in water quality and coastal restoration projects.
The Sound was one of the first estuaries recognized under the National Estuary program in 1985, and is not only a critical ecosystem for marine life throughout the east coast, but provides essential migratory and breeding bird habitats, and is home to 125 species of birds, including the endangered piping plover. Audubon has been a lead advocate for the protection and restoration of Long Island Sound for more than 15 years.
Whippoorwill Stream stabilization. Click image to enlarge.
Existing deteriorating conditions of Whippoorwill Stream shorelines.
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Work to be done on Whippoorwill Stream near Nanny Hagen Rd and Route 128
(Click images to enlarge)
Wed 26 Feb by Michelle Boyle
Bureau of Water Supply New York City Department of Environmental Protection presented a Kensico Action Plan to the North Castle Town Board at the February 25, 2009 Town Board meeting.
The plan includes improvement to the storm water flow and reduction of discharge of pollutants from the Whippoorwill Stream along Nanny Hagen Road and Route 120 bordering both towns of North Castle and Mt. Pleasant. This project is in line with the NYCDEP’s commitment to protect the water supply leading into the Kensico Watershed.
The plan includes building a temporary access road adjacent to the stream off Nanny Hagen Road effecting about 1.5 acres of property. Construction involves a series of in-stream rock or log structures.
The presentation included a plan to remove 70 trees among the site and post construction plan calls for mitigation including deer fencing to protect the new plantings of 160 6-8 feet trees and 300 natural shrubs.
The proposed time frame of construction is to commence July 2009 with a 65 day construction period. The anticipated construction completion is before October 1, 2009 with the property replanting completion of 2010.
A resident commented that it would be fifty years before the newly planted trees would provide a natural screening of the area and larger trees should be considered.
Town Councilman Gerry Geist expressed concern about the proposed average 3-4 daily truck trips using our local roads from I-684. John Roebig, Sr. Project Manager of HDR presented the project and responded that traffic patterns were the responsibility of the contractors and to be determined by the origin of the construction vehicles. Ryan Coyne, a town engineer from Kellard Associates, stated that a traffic study should be coordinated.
A Public Hearing has been scheduled for March 25th allowing further public comments.
Wampus Pond, Route 128, Armonk 914-273-3230.
Rowboats are available weekends and holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Memorial Day through Labor Day. Boat Rentals Playland Park, Rye 914-813-7010. Pedal boats and a lake cruise are located on Playland Lake. (May through Labor Day)
Kayaking Hudson River ,
Group kayaking and canoeing tours are available in season. Advance
reservations and fees required. Call Hudson River Recreation at 1-(888)
321-HUDSON for reservations.
Boat Launching:
Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, 914-862-5290.
Provides access to the Hudson River and can accommodate sailboards,
canoes and car-top carried boats only. Open April through October,
from 8 a.m. to dusk, 7 days a week.
George's Island Park, Montrose, 914-737-7530. Ramp provides
access to the Hudson River and can accommodate boats up to 21 feet in
length. Open April through October, from 8 a.m. to dusk, 7 days a week.
Glen Island Park, New Rochelle 914-813-6720/6721. Ramp
provides access to Long Island Sound and can accommodate boats up to 21
feet in length. Open April through October, from 8 a.m. to dusk, 7
days a week.
Playland Park, Rye 914-813-7010. Provides self-launching
access to Long Island Sound for car-top carried boats and kayaks only.
Open May through September, 8 a.m. to dusk, 7 days a week. Parking fees
apply.
Nearby pond which is part of the quarry of Cranberry Lake Preserve, North White Plains. Photo courtesy of Geo.meetup.com.
Nearby 10 acre Cranberry Lake in North White Plains flows to Kensico Reservoir.
Water cascade at nearby Cranberry Lake Preserve.
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Nearby Cranberry Lake Preserve, located in North White Plains, is a nature preserve located off Old Orchard St and Route 22 in North White Plains. Cranberry Lake is the source for most of the stone used to build the Kensico Dam and flows to the Kensico Reservoir. The Preserve is administered by the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. The 190-acre nature preserve is comprised of forest, wetlands, and a 10-acre lake. Three miles of trails, including a loop around the lake and others traversing the preserve. Hiking, bird watching, nature studies and cross country skiing. http://whiteplainsusa.com/active-wp.htm Ken Soltesz, curator at the Cranberry Lake Preserve, said: ''Biodiversity is very important because the more complete a given ecosystem is, the more stable it is and the better it is for all the species involved. I tell people that our ecosystem is like a fabric. As long as every thread is interwoven and entwined with the others, the fabric -- the ecosystem -- keeps its strength. Squirrels, for example, bury acorns which later become oak trees. But if something happens to disrupt the squirrels, then the acorns don't get buried, and so on.'' Cranberry Lake is home to three very old species of bladderwort. The carnivorous plant, which Mr. Soltesz said dates from pre-human times, lives in water and captures and eats microscopic aquatic organisms as they float by. ''Cranberry Lake is glacially made -- it has been here since the glaciers -- and we have some very, very old habitats,'' he said. ''One of the habitats is called a graminoid fen, which is like a bog.'' Other ancient species found during the study include the white corporal skimmer, a rare and picturesque dragonfly. Sources: whiteplainsusa.com & LYNNE AMES, July 19, 1998 New York Times
Pond at Cranberry Lake Preserve. Photo courtesy of geo.meetup.com
11/21/09 Saturday was a beautiful afternoon and Max had plenty of company while fishing for Fallfish that are bottom feeders of Wampus Brook.
December 13, 2009 This winter wonderland was captured looking out over Wampus Pond on Sunday morning after the snowfall. Surrounded by natural beauty reminds me of how very fortunate we are to live in Armonk. Not only do we go down Main Street and see many friendly, familiar faces, but everywhere we look we are surrounded by spectacular views like that above or the swan below in silent beauty. Photos were taken at Wampus Park Pond. Click images to enlarge.
Annual Fishing Derby
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May 16, 2009
1. Wampus Brook Park Annual Fishing Derby. The ducks lined up one at a time to exit the pond while fishing lines were casted throughout the brook.
2. (L to R) James, Andrew, Joe, John, and Joey come from Yorktown and White Plains to
fish Wampus Brook during the North Castle Recreation Department’s Fishing
Derby.
Five years in a row John has
won first place. This year he caught six fish, although a small number compared
to prior years, it was enough to win first place with the most fish. He also
caught the largest fish, a 14” trout.
John and his Dad fish on most
weekends. They get up and out early 4:30 – 5:00am to fish streams and rivers all
over Westchester. Their secret to catching so many fish is to change the bait.
“The fish stop biting the same bait, so we change it up,” Joe said as he hooked
on a minnow, changing bait from worms.
North Castle Recreation
Supervisor for 29 years, Frank Sampognaremembers always having the Fishing Derby.Greg from the Parks department informed
us that Wampus Brook was filled the day before with 300 trout from a fish farm
in NJ.
“The fish are fenced in with
chicken wire and tomorrow we open the fence and the fish become part of the
natural habitat.”
3. John, 9, and his brother
Daniel, 4, fish with their Dad, Doug.Their secret fish food for farm feed fish is marshmallows.
4. Fishing friends (L to R) Callie, 3, Shira,
6,Madison, 6, and Brinton, 5, gently return the second and the smallerof their catfish caught back into the
pond.
5. Rob strings a trout and tells
us, “ Trout is very good, it’s my favorite.I’ve been fishing since I’ve been two years old. I clean it
and cook it like my grandfather taught me: grill it with a little lemon, butter
and white wine.”
North Castle and surrounding areas historical wetlands map.
Fishing is permitted in all the streams and lakes under the
control of the Westchester County Parks Department, except in the
nature preserves and where "No Fishing" signs are displayed. There is
also a fly fishing area available at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in
Cross River. During the winter, ice fishing is allowed on several lakes, conditions permitting, except in areas specifically designated for ice skaters. A
New York State fishing license is required, which can be obtained
through the Town Clerks' Office, Armonk and Westchester County Clerk's
office at 914-995-3080.
Information on permits and requirements
for fishing in reservoirs located within Westchester can be obtained by
calling the New York City Department of Environmental Protection at
914-232-1309. Source:Westchsetergov.com
There are an abundance of
waterways in Armonk's lakes, ponds and brooks including; Wampus Brook,
Wampus Pond, Wampus Lake; Wampus River; Byram Lake Reservoir; North Lake: Windmill
Lake; Gifford Lake; Long Pond; Converse Lake.
Wampus River south from School Street.
A dam controls water in a tributary to Bear Gutter Creek on the Armonk Bowl property.
