I live in Livingston Manor, where flooding on Main Street and low-lying areas has been a problem for the entire history of the hamlet. The Willowemoc River does not directly flood Main Street; it does flood lower lying areas below the point of its junction with the Little Beaverkill Creek.

The Little Beaverkill is the waterway that floods Pearl Street, then continues on and floods Main Street.

Yes, the Little Beaverkill comes over its banks onto Pearl Street where there are storm drains to allow rainwater to be directed off the street, but these storm drains run to the Little Beaverkill, therefore the water that has come out onto the street from the Little Beaverkill has nowhere to exit, except on adjoining streets, IE Meadow Street and Main Street. The storm drains on Main Street carry the water to the Willowemoc River.

When the Willowemoc River rises, the water on Main Street can't run off into the Willowemoc River until the water starts to recede.

The stone walls by the school help to keep the Willowemoc River within its banks to prevent it from flooding Main Street.

According to the statements made about the $4.7 million state grant, it will be funding a restoration of Willowemoc Creek's historic floodplain to reduce downtown flooding by removing barriers.

I am hoping they are NOT thinking about removing the stone walls by the school as that would cause more problems for the town.

It seems that the person or persons who made these suggestions know nothing about the town and the water movement or the structure of the town.

Did they come to Livingston Manor when we were in a flood watch or flood warning or a flash flood watch or warning to see where the flood waters come from? 

NO, THEY DID NOT! They just assumed what happens!

Patricia Parks

Livingston Manor