NY Will Study Flood Reduction In The Moodna Creek Watershed

James Skoufis

Originally published in Patch on .

New York State environmental officials have added Moodna Creek to the Resilient NY Program of high-priority, flood-prone watersheds.

The study will analyze the causes and develop effective and ecologically sustainable hazard mitigation projects for the affected municipalities.

Due to the extensive network of tributaries in the Moodna Creek watershed, the Resilient NY flood study includes a wide range of communities in eastern and central Orange County that are subject to repetitive and severe flooding and have experienced significant flood damage, state environmental officials said.

"Having just observed the one-year anniversary of last July’s catastrophic storm that devastated eastern Orange County, and mindful of the increasing frequency of flooding in so many local communities, we must not sit idly by," said state Sen. James Skoufis. "I look forward to the results and recommendations from this study, and I am grateful for the partnership of our colleagues at DEC as well as Assemblyman Eachus’ leadership on local flooding issues. As extreme weather continues to worsen, this is a vital step to ensuring Orange County’s long-term safety and sustainability."

To address and prevent damage caused by major flooding events, the study will undertake a comprehensive hydraulic analysis and geomorphic assessment of the watershed to determine the cause(s) of flooding. It will evaluate and recommend flood mitigation strategies at specific locations that will be effective at reducing flooding throughout the Moodna Creek watershed, state officials said.

DEC will begin the Moodna Creek Watershed study in early 2025. Officials promised to engage a broad coalition of local leaders, engineers, planners, and other stakeholders.

The Moodna Creek study will create a detailed strategy or “roadmap” for resolving existing infrastructure and ecosystem issues that perpetuate chronic flooding — not only identifying the issues in affected municipalities but actionable steps for mitigation plus recommended funding sources, as well as providing municipalities guidance on applying for that funding.
 

Recommendations could include specific design guidance for bridge or culvert replacements, floodplain, wetland and/or stream restoration, flood buyouts, structure elevations and more.

Moodna Creek joins 61 other watersheds across New York State already participating in the Resilient NY Program. To date, 45 studies have been completed, 10 flood studies are underway, and five additional studies will be launched later this year and in early 2025, DEC officials said.

Funding for these studies is allocated through the State's Environmental Protection Fund.

Resilient NY is part of the state’s effort to advance flood control projects. Gov. Kathy Hochul has made helping communities become more weather-resilient a cornerstone policy of her administration. More information on Resilient NY is available on DEC’s website.

“New York is investing expertise and resources into bolstering community resiliency and addressing the impacts of extreme weather events by implementing flood mitigation measures in high-risk areas,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “We are pleased to add the Moodna Creek watershed to the Resilient NY program and help Orange County communities take action to reduce the potential for flood damage and look forward to working with the communities in this watershed and our state elected officials to advance this important project.”

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