Aquatic Connectivity and Climate Resilience in the Fishkill Creek Watershed
Clarkson University was funded by the Cornell Water Research Institute to create a Road-Stream Crossing (RSX) Inventory for the Fishkill Creek Watershed. We used the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative’s database to download lists of all assessed and unassessed road-stream crossings (RSXs) from the Fishkill Creek Watershed. We selected as many unassessed crossings as possible to complete field assessments of our own. NACC provides data for assessed crossings regarding aquatic connectivity and flood resilience, as well as other variables. We researched town documents, including Hazard mitigation plans, to ascertain areas of concern and cross referenced the Dutchess County Transportation Council’s Resiliency Assessment. Our data was submitted to NACC and uploaded into their database. We made final prioritized lists and reports for each town that included methodology, our work, prioritization, best management practices, and funding guidance.