Larger, higher bridges and changes to nearby floodplains could help reduce flooding in Chichester, according to preliminary findings presented at a Sept. 25 public meeting.
SLR Consulting presented its recommendations at the second of three meetings on the hamlet’s local flood analysis. The firm is working with the Town of Shandaken and the Chichester Flood Action Committee.
The study draws on concerns residents raised at the first meeting on April 25. It examines flood-prone buildings and infrastructure, erosion risks, vulnerable culverts, and threats to water quality.
“Those eyewitness accounts are extremely important for this,” said Shandaken Supervisor Babs Mansfield. “We’re getting the people who live there and have lived there to let us know what problems there are, in terms of flooding.”
The study identified problems at three public bridges and six private bridges, including the Route 214 and Stony Clove Lane bridges.
The Route 214 bridge is undersized by New York State Department of Transportation standards, according to the consultants. Water backs up upstream, flooding Route 214, Fichtner Road, and nearby properties. As water rises, it can flow around the bridge.
A concrete barrier protecting a sewer line downstream also contributes to higher water levels and reduces the bridge’s ability to pass floodwaters, according to the preliminary findings.
SLR is seeking more information about the sewer line from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Preliminary options include removing or lowering the barrier, known as a weir, or installing a pump station.
“Typically you don’t want to replace a bridge before its structural lifespan,” said Matt Trueheart, an associate water resources engineer with SLR. “When you’re contributing to flooding of a dozen or two dozen homes, the economics start to make more sense.”
At the Silver Hollow Road bridge, SLR recommended lengthening the span by 30 feet and raising it by 2 to 3 feet. Water there can reach speeds of 30 feet per second, according to the consultants.
“The power of the river really can’t be understated,” Trueheart said.
Changes to the floodplain downstream could move floodwaters farther from nearby homes, though Trueheart said they could also affect flows elsewhere.
“Unfortunately there are trade-offs like this,” he said.
The privately owned Ox Clove Creek bridge presents another challenge: A community water distribution line crosses it, leaving the water supply vulnerable if the bridge is damaged.
Funding options differ for public and private properties, said Adam Doan, SLR’s principal water resources scientist. The town is in discussions with the bridge’s owners.
At Stony Clove Lane, the consultants recommended a raised, 120-foot-long bridge, removal of three culverts, and floodplain improvements. Ulster County’s 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan also recommended replacing the bridge.
Those changes wouldn’t eliminate flooding, the consultants said. They suggested that homeowners consider voluntary property buyout or relocation options.
“There will be general recommendations so that if people are interested, they could pursue a relocation, a buyout, or whatever,” Doan said. “None of them are going to be compelled on you.”
Once the analysis is published, the town can use its recommendations to pursue funding for individual projects.
Residents also raised concerns about delays in securing permanent repairs and the need to coordinate with outside agencies.
“Often small rural communities are not always prioritized in the funds allocation process and critical repairs, which leads to further delays,” said Karen Lee, a member of the Chichester Flood Action Committee and the town’s Conservation Advisory Committee.
Lee cited a recent storm that dropped 8 inches of rain on the hamlet and caused further bank erosion along Route 214. The state transportation department made emergency repairs, she said, but the timing of a permanent repair is uncertain.
Residents at the meeting expressed doubt that a permanent repair would be completed.
Flooding can occur throughout the year, including during winter snowmelt, spring rain, and late summer or fall tropical storms. According to SLR, climate change is expected to bring more intense, unpredictable storms.
“Tropical storm Irene was a little bit less than a 50-year recurrence interval flood,” Doan said. “It’ll be important to know that it can get a lot worse.”
The third public meeting is planned for January 2027, when final findings will be presented. The Chichester Flood Action Committee plans to meet in October and December.
Mia Quick is an editorial assistant and reporter at The Overlook. Send correspondence to mia@theoverlooknews.com.
