East Kill: Difference between revisions

| mouth_location = [[Jewett Center, New York#Communities and locations in Jewett|Jewett Center, New York]], [[United States]]

| tributaries_right = [[Halsey Brook]], [[Roaring Brook (East Kill tributary)|Roaring Brook]], [[Pasture Brook]]

East Kill begins on the northwestern slopes of [[Stoppel Point]] and begins flowing northwestward, then soon curves to the west. It continues west for a short distance, then flows into [[Colgate Lake]], a {{convert|29|acre|mi2ha|adj=on}} lake. It exits the lake then passes by the East Kill Valley Church, as it continues along the road. It soon recei

When settlers first arrived in the East Kill Valley, they frequently encountered bears, wolves, and other dangerous wildlife. This caused many of the first settlers to only stay in the area for a short time. A man by the name of John Godsell, known as Uncle John by the locals, was an expert trapper along the creek, who killed between 40 and 50 wolves in the East Kill Valley. One wolf he tied up and tried to bring to the nearby town of Cairo, in order to get a larger bounty. The wolf died before Godsell was able to reach Cairo.<ref name=History>{{cite web|title=Watershed History |url=https://catskillstreams.org/pdfs/EKSMP/4_history.pdf|publisher=Catskill Streams|accessdateaccess-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref>

From the late 1700’s1700s to early 1800’s1800s, the local economy thrived on the sale of [[eastern hemlock|hemlock bark]], which was used to tan [[leather]]. The local industry later shifted to logging as lumber demands rose in the area. When the majority of the forests were cleared, dairy farms bbecamebecame the dominant economic revenue in the East Kill valley.<ref name=History/>

While the Catskills originated during the [[Devonian]] period, around 375 million years ago, as a former [[river delta]] [[tectonic uplift|uplifted]] and became a [[dissected plateau]], the East Kill's valley was formed during the recent [[Glacial landform|effects]] of the [[Wisconsin glaciation]], which ended about 12,000 years ago. Meltwater fed many streams, which eventually formed today's East Kill.<ref name=Geology>{{cite web|title=Upper Schoharie Creek watershed Geology (including East Kill) Watershed|url=https://catskillstreams.org/pdfs/EKSMP/7_geology.pdf|publisher=Catskill Streams|accessdateaccess-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref>

NYSDEC performed a study of the creek in 2005 and 2006, showed that overall water quality was good. Also it showed that aquatic life was normal in the stream, and that there were no other water quality impacts to recreational uses. In the past, there has excessive stream bank erosion along the creek. However the East Kill does not seem to be as prone to sediment and turbidity problems like other Schoharie Creek tributaries in the area. However, sediment load from East Kill, along with [[West Kill]] and [[Batavia Kill (Schoharie Creek tributary)|Batavia Kill]], have been the principal contributors of sediment and turbidity in the [[Schoharie Reservoir]].<ref name="DEC water quality report">{{cite web|title= WI/PWL Fact Sheets - Schoharie/East Kill Watershed (0202000501)|url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/wimohawkeastkill.pdf|publisher=[[New York State Department of Environmental Conservation]]|date=December 13, 2007|accessdateaccess-date=May 3, 2020}}</ref>

In 2006, a combined effort of the [[Greene County, New York|Greene County]] [[Conservation district|Soil and Water Conservation District]] and the DEP resulted in a management plan for East Kill. The stream was subdivided into 11 sections from its source to the mouth and inventoried in great detail. Issues of concern for habitat and flood management were identified and recommendations made.<ref name="management report">{{cite web|title= Introduction to Management Unit Descriptions and Recommendations |url=https://catskillstreams.org/pdfs/EKSMP/19_MU_intro.pdf|publisher=[[New York State Department of Environmental Conservation]]|date=2006|accessdateaccess-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref>

After a January 1996 flood that damaged areas along the creek, certain sections had to be reconstructed. One section was by the Farber Farm to prevent damage from future floods. The reconstruction projects also improved aquatic and riparian habitats, and improved water quality. Then in 2011, a project was performed to repair [[aggradation]] upstream of the Vista Ridge bridge, and fix where the creek changed its course closer towards Colgate Lake road. The project protected the road, and planted native trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and prevent future flood damage.<ref name="EastKillRestorationProjects">{{cite web|title= East Kill Restoration Projects |url=https://www.gcswcd.com/swp/stream-sw-projs/ek-projs|publisher=Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District|date=2020|accessdateaccess-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref>

The East Kill is mostly a cold water stream, which provides suitable water temperatures for organisms, such as [[brook trout]], which require water less than {{convert|72|F|C}}. Roughly 2,700 [[brown trout]] are stocked annually along the creek from the mouth to just downstream of Colgate Lake. Upstream of this point the kill has a sufficient wild trout population which makes stocking unnecessary. The wild trout population is primarily brown trout to [[Harriman Lake]], and primarily brook trout upstream of Harriman Lake. Fish communities were analyzed in 2000, 2002 and 2003, they showed that in addition to brown trout and brook trout, [[creek chub]], [[common shiner]], [[pumpkinseed]], [[bluegill]], [[white sucker]], [[stone roller]], [[cutlips minnow]], and [[marginated madtom]] were present in the creek. Despite the kill being a cold water fishery, largemouth bass which is warm-water species were found often during a 2006 study. The largemouth bass were stocked or escaped into the stream from adjacent ponds.<ref name="Fisheries & Wildlife">{{cite web|title=Fisheries & Wildlife|url=https://catskillstreams.org/pdfs/EKSMP/11_wildlife.pdf|publisher=Catskill Streams|accessdateaccess-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref>

To provide fishing access, DEC has acquired public fishing rights from local landowners in addition to those short stretches where it already owns land adjoining the kill. On the lower stream, these include both sides of the creek from the mouth to Roaring Brook.<ref name="DEC fishing rights PDF">{{cite web|title=Public Fishing Rights Maps – Schoharie Creek |url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/pfrschoharie.pdf|publisher=[[New York State Department of Environmental Conservation]]|accessdateaccess-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> Located along the kill within the Colgate Lake Wild Forest, is Colgate Lake. The lake is a popular year-round lake for trout, of which 750 brown trout from {{convert|8|to|15|in|cm}} in length are stocked each year. The Lake is also popular for kayaking and has six campsites.<ref name="Colgate Lake Wild Forest">{{cite web|title=Colgate Lake Wild Forest |url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/50670.html|publisher=[[New York State Department of Environmental Conservation]]|accessdateaccess-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref>