Village of Cleveland
PO Box A
Cleveland, NY 13042
315-675-8611

Project Category:

Non-agriculture

Problem Statement:

Sediment build up and weed overgrowth threaten to fill in and destroy wildlife habitat, aesthetic beauty and recreational use of the Tannery Pond in Cleveland, NY on Black Creek near where Black Creek enters Oneida Lake.

This historic pond, once supplied power for 19th century Cleveland industry around which Cleveland was settled. (Appendix A) The ponds have historically provided excellent fishing habitat for native Trout, Bass, Sunfish, Bullhead and minnows and sustain a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, song birds, herons and waterfowl.

The pond also acts as a natural settling system for silt from upstream, protecting Oneida lake from receiving the bulk of that material. This natural protection system and wildlife habit is in danger of turning into a swamp by being filled in completely and overrun with native and non-native plant species. Most of the fish habitat is already filled in. The remaining fish are small, mostly stunted sunfish and bullhead.

Human recreation in the pond has diminished with the silting, as swimming and boating are no longer possible due to the lack of depth of water and the accumulation of several feet of thick black muck on the bottom. Fishing is diminished due to the lack of variety and size of the fish.

Black Creek is one of the two largest streams feeding into Oneida lake from the North.

Objective Statement:

The objective of this grant proposal is to dredge the pond and restore the wildlife habit, beauty and human recreation potential for this historic pond system.

 Scope:

The scope of the work is limited to the removal and relocation of the sediment from the pond. We have major support from the citizens of the village and the property owners who border the pond as well as the Town of Constantia and Oswego County in this endeavor. The pond system has been targeted as an important part of a Village Waterfront Revitalization Plan which the village is currently seeking funding for.

 Benefits to the Watershed:

The Tannery Pond on Black Creek has protected Oneida Lake for over 100 years from much of the silt and sediment which would have otherwise ended up in the lake. Local elders report that the pond was last dredged around 1940. Once dredged again, the ponds will again begin protecting the lake from Black Creek sediment by the process of natural settling.

Work Elements:

Construction of temporary land bridges, removal and relocation of the silt, mud and sediment from the pond.

Timeline:

Timeline to be directed by NYSDEC. Initial discussions with DEC recommended that work begin during the winter and be completed before Spring thaw. Estimated length of the project is two months.

Budget Estimates:

Estimated total project cost: $145,000

Cost breakdown: Construct land bridges and remove material $145,000 (Arrangements have been tentatively made to exchange the removed material for a portion of the removal cost. The material will be composted and mixed with topsoil for reuse.)

Source of matching funds and Available resources: Village of Cleveland staff for administration of the grant and the Village DPW staff will provide in-kind contribution of labor and heavy equipment (backhoe and dump truck)

Total amount requested in this proposal: $72,000

Personnel:

NYSDEC, Village of Cleveland Mayor, Clerk and DPW staff, Oswego County - hired for equipment as needed.

Proposed Park Drawing | Recreational and tourism resources map
Recreational and tourism resources in the village Cleveland - Narrative
Pond Dredging Grant Application | Back to Narrative