Tomannex Aquatic Habitat Improvement
Project Description
Tomannex State Forest in New York borders 2 miles of the East Branch of the Delaware River in Delaware County. This section of river contains a fishery that is challenged in several aspects. Its Brook Trout, American Shad and Eel populations are reduced. In addition the NYS DEC has determined that the East Branch does not recruit one and two year old trout to adults in the same proportion as other area rivers, even those which are extremely similar, such as the West Branch. After extensive study we believe that a lack of cover is a contributing cause for each of these fishery declines, ...
Project Map
County: Delaware County, NY
Project Size:
- 2.63 miles
Project Sites
- Tomannex State Forest
Goals and Targets
Primary Motivations:
-
Conservation Mission
Included within the mission statements of both Wild Trout Flyrodders and the Federation of Fly Fishers are the focus areas of conserving and restoring. Both organizations work towards the conservation of all species within a fishery. -
Climate Change Adaptation
The East Branch of the Delaware is a regulated tailwater only 2 hours from the largest metropolitan area in North America. As such, with good restoration it can be a coldwater fishery thru global warming, providing residents of NYC with a resource otherwise unavailable.
Primary Goals:
-
Increase recruitment of 1 & 2 year old trout to adults
Progress: The project is fully permitted and work has begun on dropping trees and installing trout habitat structures. -
Cessation of stocking hatchery trout into the East Branch
Progress: The project is fully permitted and work has begun on dropping trees and installing trout habitat structures. -
Restore aquatic connectivity within the East Branch for Brook trout, American Shad, and American Eel.
Progress: The project is fully permitted and work has begun on dropping trees and installing trout habitat structures.
Consistent With Plans:
-
Watershed Plan
Delaware River Basin Council Watershed Plan.
Targeted Habitats:
- Aquatic
- Rivers and Streams
- Wetlands and Riparian Habitats
- Montane Riparian Forests and Shrublands
- Central Appalachian Stream and Riparian
Targeted Species:
- American Eel Anguilla rostrata
- American Shad Alosa sapidissima
- Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis
Conservation Actions
| Action | Status | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improve in-stream fish habitat | Proposed | 2013 | 2014 |
Install 90 Boulders in Clusters |
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| Improve in-stream fish habitat | In Progress | 2013 | 2014 |
Drop and Chain Trees to the River Bank |
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| Improve in-stream fish habitat | In Progress | 2012 | 2014 |
Install Trout Refuge Structures |
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| Plant native riparian, wetland or aquatic vegetation | In Progress | 2012 | 2014 |
Plant DEC supplied StreamCo Willows |
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Outcomes
Is the success of this project's actions being monitored? YesMonitoring Activities
Upon completion of the project, angler creel surveys will be monitored with the assistance of the Friends of the Upper Delaware River.
Lessons Learned and/or Suggestions for Similar Activities
None as yet.
Any Additional Information About The Project
None as yet.
Citation
This is an aquatic habitat restoration project on the East Branch of the Delaware River at Tomannex State Forest. The purpose is to provide cover and a more complex aquatic environment that will provide the aquatic fishery with protection from predators such Merganzers, thus allowing more one and two year old shad, trout and eels to survive into their adult reproductive stages. Managing Organization: Wild Trout Flyrodders, a 501c3 Federation of Fly Fishers Charter Club.