MITIGATION Town engineer Russell Budd examines a map showing Livingston Manor’s flood-prone areas. Ethan Sprouse photo
Planning for the next flood
Rockland a part of NYS water study
By Art Steinhauer | Manor Ink Mentor
Livingston Manor, NY – A new New York State flood study is expected to bring long-awaited insight – and potential solutions – to communities that have faced repeated flooding over the years.
The initiative, part of New York’s broader resilience program, is being conducted through the Department of Environmental Conservation, which has hired engineering firm SLR Consulting to carry out a comprehensive watershed analysis. The study in this area focuses on key waterways in and around Livingston Manor and Roscoe, including the Little Beaver Kill, Beaver Kill, and Willowemoc creeks.
Local officials say the effort remains largely under the radar for now, but that will soon change.
Public participation to be included
“This is a significant story for the community that hasn’t really surfaced yet,” said Russell Budd, consulting engineer to the Town of Rockland who is involved in the project. As part of the study, he said, “There will be a formal public engagement phase, likely beginning in early summer, where local residents can learn more and provide input.”
The study, which began last October, is currently in its data-gathering phase. Engineers are conducting field surveys, reviewing historical flood data and consulting with residents who have firsthand knowledge of past flooding events. Community members have already contributed photos and videos documenting severe floods, including one in 2006 that saw water levels rise several feet in parts of downtown Livingston Manor.
That flood, along with another major event in 1969, remains a benchmark for understanding the area’s vulnerability.
“Flooding has always been a concern here,” Budd noted. “This study will help identify exactly where the risks are greatest and what can be done to reduce them.”
Once completed – likely by the end of the year – the study will outline a series of recommended mitigation projects. These could include stabilizing eroding stream banks, widening channels, or restoring natural floodplains to better absorb excess water.
Funded largely by the state
Importantly, the study is tied to a NY State grant program that could cover up to 90 percent of construction costs for approved projects, leaving municipalities responsible for just a ten-percent match.
“That level of funding is substantial,” emphasized Rob Eggleton, Town of Rockland Supervisor. “It makes projects that might otherwise be out of reach much more feasible.”
Flooding has also had financial consequences for residents, particularly when it comes to insurance. Some homeowners have struggled to obtain affordable flood coverage, as the effects of climate change have driven up the costs of insurance, particularly for properties in vulnerable locations. Officials hope that improved flood management could eventually ease those burdens.
WALKING TOUR Surveying water flow on the banks of the Willowemoc are, from left, town engineer Russell Budd, Supervisor Rob Eggleton, SLR Consulting’s Allison Lent and Lori Schilling, Paul Salchert and Jack Gorton of HVEA Engineers. Art Steinhauer photo
In parallel with the DEC study, a separate but related project is moving forward near Livingston Manor campus of Rockland Central School. Backed by a $4.5 million grant, the plan would remove an existing berm and restore a natural floodplain, potentially reducing flood levels significantly in the hamlet’s downtown area. The project would also involve relocating the school’s athletic fields and constructing new facilities.
When the work is completed, Budd believes that what is currently considered a “100-year flood” could be reduced to 12 inches or less of water in many affected areas.
Both efforts highlight a growing recognition of flood risks in the region, particularly as weather patterns become more unpredictable.
“Climate change is part of the equation,” Budd stressed. “We’re seeing more intense rain events and faster snowmelt. This study gives the community a chance to get ahead of that.”
Public meetings and additional outreach are expected in the coming months, offering residents opportunities to learn more and help shape the final recommendations. For now, officials say, the message is simple: pay attention, because change is coming.
Reporter Ethan Sprouse contributed to this story.