Biodiversity of the Moodna Creek Watershed - Orange County Water ...

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Moodna Biodiversity L. Heady, 19 June 2008 DRAFT Hudson River Shoreline: The Moodna Mouth The confluence of the Moodna Creek and Hudson River is especially rich in biodiversity, and marks the average northern extent of the salt front in the estuary (although the front moves farther upstream under low flow conditions). The input of nutrients from the Moodna watershed; the mixing of the Moodna’s fresh water with brackish water from the Hudson; and the tidal influence of the estuary together create conditions and habitats that are uncommon in New York. Habitats of the Moodna mouth system include 3.5 miles of freshwater tributary, with the lower mile in tidal range of the Hudson River. Where it reaches the river, the creek flows into an approximately 75 acre (30 ha) embayment, with extensive emergent marsh, swamp, mudflats, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and wooded islands. (See Figure 1.) East of the railroad trestle, there are additional mudflats and a large area of SAV that continues northward along the shoreline. The various habitats and wildlife assembled at the Moodna mouth offer excellent opportunities for recreational fishing, birdwatching, paddling, environmental education, and overall outdoor enjoyment. Lower Reach of Moodna Creek. Fish habitat in the lower portion of Moodna Creek extends from the mouth and upstream for 3.5 miles to the dam located just upstream of the Orrs Mill bridge on NYS Route 32. (See Figure 2.) Anadromous fish, including alewife and blueback herring, enter the creek in the spring for spawning, and the resulting larval fish develop in the flats at the creek mouth. The lower portion of the Moodna also supports a warmwater fish community throughout the year; resident species include American eel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch, yellow perch, white catfish, and brown bullhead. As the salt front moves up the Hudson, bluefish, bay anchovy, weakfish, Atlantic silversides, hogchoker, and blue crab may enter the tributary to feed. Confluence. The confluence of the Moodna and Hudson provides important habitat for bald eagle (NYS Threatened) and osprey (NYS Special Concern). Both feed on spawning fish and waterfowl, and use the tall trees along the shoreline and on wooded islands for perching and roosting. The Moodna mouth is one of the few areas in the Hudson where eagles are consistently observed in the summer, and the area is considered important breeding habitat for bald eagle by the NY Natural Heritage Program. In addition, it supports a wintering population of bald eagles from December through March. (See Appendix A for conservation recommendations for bald eagle.) Marsh and Mudflats. The tidal freshwater marsh at the mouth of the Moodna is the largest in Orange County. This 59 acre (24 ha), Class 1 NYS Regulatory Freshwater wetland includes areas of brackish tidal marsh and brackish intertidal mudflats. Statewide, there are few occurrences of these rare ecological communities, which host suites of species especially adapted to the changing conditions caused by tides. Due to their changing salinity values, brackish tidal marshes provide habitat for a combination of species that are characteristic of both salt and freshwater tidal marshes. Brackish intertidal mudflats support populations of mobile invertebrates like clams, snails, worms, and crustaceans that are adapted to the unstable surface of the mudflat. During high tide, these invertebrates are fed upon by shad, bass, and other fish; low tide brings foraging opportunities for shore birds. Rare plants associated with mudflats at the Moodna mouth include spongy arrowhead, and historical records of estuary beggarticks. 4
Figure 1. Ecological Communities of the Moodna Creek Mouth Orange County, NY Legend NHPCommunities_in_Moodna Brackish Intertidal Mudflats Brackish Tidal Marsh Water Celery SAV Bed NYS Freshwater Wetland NWI Palustrine Wetland NWI Riverine Wetland NHP Important Habitat Area Moodna Watershed Boundary Kowawese Unique Area Railroad ¯ Hudson River NEW WINDSOR Moodna Creek US9W CORNWALL 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Miles Map created 14 June 2008 by: Laura Heady, Hudson River Estuary Program, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in partnership with Cornell University Data Sources: NY Natural Heritage Program NYS Department of Environmental Conservation National Wetland Inventory
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Page 3 and 4: Moodna Biodiversity L. Heady, 19 Ju
Page 7: Moodna Biodiversity L. Heady, 19 Ju
Page 15 and 16: Figure 3. Analysis of Riparian Buff
Page 37 and 38: Appendix A. Flagship Species of the
Page 43 and 44: Appendix B. Birds of Conservation C
Page 45: Appendix C. Reptiles and Amphibians

Biodiversity of the Moodna Creek Watershed - Orange County Water ...

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