Jackson Creek

Table of Contents

Previous Work and Reports
Top Threats

General Info

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The Jackson Creek is a tributary of Sprout Creek which drains into the larger Fishkill Creek. The Jackson Creek watershed is 5,524 acres in size and drains a large portion of Union Vale and small portions of LaGrange and East Fishkill into the Sprout Creek (Burns et al. 2005). In 2000, the dominant land use in the Jackson Creek watershed was forested land (42%) followed by residential (27%) and agriculture (19%) (Burns et al 2005). Naturally reproducing trout populations were reported to be found in the Jackson Creek in 1985 (Schmidt and Kiviat) and since then both high brook and brown trout populations were documented in 2001 (Stainbrook 2004). Also in 2002, the DEC Rotating Integrated Basin Studies program documented that the Jackson Creek macroinvertebrate population was dominated by clean water mayflies suggesting nonimpacted water quality (Bode et al. 2004). Jackson Creek is classified by NYSDEC as a class C(T) stream in some areas and a class C(TS) stream in other areas. Class C streams are suitable for fishing and boating, but are not suitable for swimming or drinking.

Since 2000, the Jackson Creek Watershed has been subjected to very rapid, conventional development. This rapid change in land use probably resulted in significant increases in the percentage of rainfall that run off the land into local streams. The result is streams that flood more often, have more high water flow events causing significant erosion and the sediment removed by erosion is carried downstream and fills the stream channel with sediment.

Previous Work and Reports

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In 2005 the Natural Resources Management Plan for the Fishkill Creek Watershed, a comprehensive review of the existing Fishkill Creek and its watershed characteristics, was completed. The purpose of the management plan was to “assist the fourteen watershed municipalities in planning for a sustainable future for their water and biological resources”. In regards to Jackson Creek the plan recommended that “the geomorphic stability of the stream (Jackson Creek) needs to be assessed to determine the impact of an increasing number of stream crossings and land contour changes due to development, particularly in the steep sloped areas upstream of the Route 55 crossing.”

In June of 2007 an overview survey of the Jackson Creek was conducted by the Mid-Hudson Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU). The study examined ten sites along the Jackson Creek between Waterbury Hill Road and Montfort Bridge (near the Taconic Parkway). Sites were visually assessed using the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited (NYSCTU) Stream Visual Assessment method which evaluates the geomorphicconditions, water quality, riparian buffers, presence of invertebrates and their habitat, and fish habitat of a stream. The TU study determined that increased residential development in the upper reaches of the watershed, possibly combined with increasing intensity of precipitation events, “have resulted in greater rates of runoff producing larger and more frequent high water events.” Their study suggests that this has led to more frequent flooding, increased movement of coarse to fine sediments, decreased bank and channel stability, impacts on infrastructure (roads, culverts & bridges) and loss of biological value. The results of the TU study, combined with accounts from residents of the Jackson Creek watershed in regards to recent flooding problems, led members of the Fishkill Creek Watershed Committee to believe that an assessment in which the entire length of the Jackson Creek was walked and evaluated was prudent and necessary.

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In October of 2007 volunteer members of the Fishkill Creek Watershed Committee, the Town of East Fishkill Conservation Advisory Commission and the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council participated in a streamwalk study of the Jackson Creek. The specific method used in this study was developed by the Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts (LHCCD). The method assesses the health of the stream through twelve different visual characteristics that determine its physical conditions. Almost the entire length of Jackson Creek was walked, measured, evaluated and photographed in late October and early November of 2007. The stream was divided into 11 segments, and the 12 characteristics were determined at several locations within each segment. The physical condition of each segment was determined by averaging the 12 characteristics in that segment. Segment results can range from excellent to poor. No segment in Jackson Creek was rated excellent, one was rated good, four were rated fair and six were rated poor.

Many problems and problem areas were observed and documented during the Streamwalk. Flooding has been a persistent problem in recent years along the creek but did not occur during the field work portion of this project. Evidence of excessive erosion and sedimentation was observed at many locations. A lack of streamside shrubs and trees is also a common problem along Jackson Creek. Modifications to the stream channel, barriers to fish migration and trash in or near the stream were also observed. The extent of invasive plants along the creek including Mile-a-Minute Vine was observed and documented.

For more information, see the Jackson Creek Streamwalk Report (2007).

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Top Threats

• Excessive erosion & sedimentation in areas of the watershed;
• Excessive flooding in areas of the watershed, due to onset of the urban stream syndrome;
• Invasive species, including the Mile-A-Minute vine.

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