Flood mitigation boosts Orange County’s agricultural vitality.
Nearly 10 years of mitigation work in the Black Dirt Region has significantly enhanced the area’s ability to handle flooding, according to Kevin Sumner, the manager of the Orange County Water and Soil Conservation District.
This region, with its rich soil from a prehistoric glacial lake, is the last major agricultural stronghold in Orange County, where farms have been disappearing under pavement for decades.
“Our goal with the mitigation work is to maintain flooding at a level that allows farming to thrive here,” Mr. Sumner explained. “We can never completely eliminate flooding.”
The construction of floodplain benches along the Wallkill River, which runs through the heart of the Black Dirt Region, is the largest mitigation project undertaken by Mr. Sumner’s organization.
By reshaping the riverbanks and creating layered benches, the project aims to restore the region’s natural capacity that has been eroded over time.
Engineering studies have shown that the constructed benches can increase the river’s ability to handle rainfall by up to two inches, according to Mr. Sumner.
Feedback from farmers also confirms the effectiveness of the floodplain benches.
One farmer in the Black Dirt Region predicted that his crops would be submerged after a historic rainfall this summer, but thanks to the benches, they remained above water.
However, a subsequent storm did flood around 30 acres of the farmer’s land, highlighting the importance of the benches in minimizing the impact, Mr. Sumner noted.
He emphasized that the mitigation work not only benefits farmlands but also improves the condition of county and town roads in the region.
Over the past decade, the organization has constructed benches along approximately one mile of the Wallkill River, utilizing state grants and county funds. Mr. Sumner is now seeking a one-time funding of $600,000 from the county government for the next phase of the project.
“One aspect I particularly appreciate about the floodplain benching project is that it not only mitigates agricultural flooding but also restores the river corridor to a more natural and healthy state,” he added.
In addition to floodplain benches, the conservation district also undertakes complementary mitigation work, such as planting native vegetation, clearing fallen trees, and removing debris from the river.
Recently, Mr. Sumner expanded the scope of the mitigation work downstream, beyond Maple Avenue in the Town of Wawayanda, in response to requests from local farmers.
“The farmers emphasized that it is the outlet of the entire Wallkill Valley, and it must remain unobstructed,” he explained. “We can have an excellent flood control project all the way up to New Jersey, but if it becomes a bottleneck here, the entire region will suffer.”
Funding
So far, the organization has spent approximately $4 million on flood mitigation work, with $3 million provided by the state government and an additional $350,000 covered by the county.
The bulk of the funding came from a $2 million state grant secured by former state Sen. John Bonacic following the devastating Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.
According to Mr. Sumner, farmers in the Black Dirt Region incurred $50 million in losses that year.
“The frequency of flooding had reached a point where farming in the region was becoming economically unfeasible, so we had to take action,” he stated.
The $2 million grant kickstarted the flood mitigation work a decade ago, and it continues today with the support of other state funding and county assistance.
The Orange County Water and Soil Conservation District was established in 1967 through a resolution by the county legislature to protect the county’s natural resources.
While the organization’s primary focus has always been agriculture, it occasionally takes on programs tailored to landowners beyond farmers or urban centers.
In addition to flood mitigation, the conservation district also manages projects related to composting, farm manure management, and cover crops.
How do retention ponds help mitigate flooding in the Black Dirt Region?
Ict has implemented other strategies to mitigate flooding in the Black Dirt Region. These include the construction of retention ponds and the installation of groundwater monitoring wells.
Retention ponds are designed to capture excess water during heavy rainfall events, preventing it from overwhelming the river and causing flooding. These ponds retain the water temporarily until it can be slowly released back into the river system, reducing the risk of flooding downstream.
Groundwater monitoring wells provide crucial data on the water levels in the region. By monitoring the groundwater levels, the conservation district can anticipate potential flooding events and take necessary measures to prevent or minimize damage. This data also helps in assessing the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies implemented.
The efforts of the Orange County Water and Soil Conservation District have not only protected farmlands from flooding but have also had positive effects on the environment. The restoration of the river corridor to a more natural and healthy state has improved the habitat for various plant and animal species. It has also contributed to the overall ecological balance of the region.
The success of the mitigation work in the Black Dirt Region serves as a valuable lesson for other areas prone to flooding. By combining engineering solutions with a deep understanding of the local environment, it is possible to minimize the impact of flooding and protect vital agricultural lands.
However, the work is far from finished. Climate change and increasing rainfall patterns pose ongoing challenges. The conservation district must continue to adapt its strategies to meet these new challenges and ensure the long-term resilience of the region.
In conclusion, the mitigation work undertaken by the Orange County Water and Soil Conservation District in the Black Dirt Region has significantly enhanced the area’s ability to handle flooding. Through the construction of floodplain benches, retention ponds, and the installation of groundwater monitoring wells, the region’s natural capacity to handle rainfall has been restored. This has not only protected farmlands but has also improved the health of the river corridor and the overall ecological balance of the region. The success of these efforts emphasizes the importance of proactive and innovative approaches to mitigate the impact of flooding in vulnerable areas.
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