Kleine Kill Stream Restoration

Restoring the Kleine Kill Stream Corridor

What Happened at Duck Pond Dam?

Duck Pond was created circa 1908 on the Kleine Kill stream by constructing a stacked stone, earthen fill dam with drain valves for managing water levels.

In 2018, the dam’s century-old drainage system failed, reducing the pond’s water level and exposing several severe defects. Water levels began cycling due to a broken drain valve, inlet siltation and rainfall accumulation in the watershed.

An inspection by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Dam Safety identified an unrepairable drain valve, significant water seepage at the toe of the dam, and a critically deteriorating spillway, all of which could lead to impending failure of the dam.

Chuck Reid and Jon Winans investigate Duck Pond Dam in the foreground, behind them Duck Pond drained of most water, Skytop tower and cliff in the background

Mohonk Preserve engaged a professional engineering firm to assess the dam and develop a remediation plan. A multi-year study involving volunteer committee members, staff and board members was completed in 2022. After extensive review and consideration, the Preserve determined that the optimal conservation action is to restore the Kleine Kill stream corridor with upland wet meadows and beaver analogs for ponding.

Rendering of Kleine Kill Restoration by SLR Consulting

What is Happening Now – Manage Water Levels, Re-Vegetate, Monitor, & Restore

In October, the dam’s lower-level outlet drain ceased to flow, requiring the Preserve to install a gravity siphon system to maintain consistent water levels, reducing the hydrostatic pressure on the dam and providing habitat for wildlife
Natural native re-vegetation will be supported through monitoring and invasive plant control
Engineering designs will be developed to create an upland wet meadow with ponds, beaver analogs and a
connected stream, maintain carriage road access and develop educational programmatic sites

On March 18, 2025, Mohonk Preserve staff and Riverkeeper’s Habitat Restoration Team hosted a public information session at the Gardiner Library to discuss the Preserve’s plans to restore the Kleine Kill Stream and remove the failing Duck Pond Dam. The event also featured a screening of Riverkeeper’s documentary “One Dam at a Time.” We’re grateful to our presenters, attendees and to the Gardiner Library for hosting this community outreach event.

Participants learned from Mohonk Preserve Stewardship and Conservation Science staff along with the contractors involved in the removal of the dam and what that means for the restoration of the Kleine Kill and the surrounding land. Click here for a recording of the presentation.