Keene Flood Mitigation Involves Channel Widening

Keene Flood Mitigation Involves Channel Widening

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a commitment of up to $3 million to fund a project that will mitigate flooding and expand the capacity of Gulf Brook to transport water and sediment in the Town of Keene.

The project, which was developed by the Towns of Jay and Keene NY Rising Community Reconstruction (NYRCR) Planning Committee, will consist of completing repairs for the entire length of Gulf Brook, from upstream by the former Town of Keene firehouse to the waterway’s junction with the East Branch of the Ausable River.

The effort, which will include bank stabilization, channel widening and restoration, culvert installation and possible bridge modification, will reduce risks of flooding and deterioration to route 9N and adjacent properties in the center of the Hamlet of Keene.

Extreme weather has unfortunately become the new normal in New York, and we must be prepared for the next severe storm,” Governor Cuomo said. “This project will fortify the Town of Keene and nearby areas along Gulf Brook and will better protect residents and businesses from whatever Mother Nature sends our way. This is one more way that New York is building back better.”

The Hamlet of Keene is built on an alluvial fan formed where Gulf Brook exits a steep mountain canyon and meets the base of the valley. In its current state, Gulf Brook is straight and confined between the bluff and Routes 9N and 73. During Hurricane Irene, Gulf Brook overflowed its banks and flowed down the center of the hamlet, damaging more than a dozen properties that were in the floodplain.

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Press Release