The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the completion of a project to conserve, protect, and restore Schenevus Creek—a known trout habitat in the Town of Maryland, southern Otsego County. The Schenevus Creek Boulder Cluster and Strategic Large Wood Addition project included partners Trout Unlimited and its Clearwater Chapter and the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill.   

DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar said, “Providing shade and cover along creeks and streams is essential to creating healthy habitats for trout and improving water quality. I applaud the work of DEC’s Fisheries experts and our partners in creating riparian buffers along Schenevus Creek that will help improve trout survival in Otsego County and further enhance the incredible fishing and recreational opportunities in this area.”  

The project, funded through the Habitat Conservation and Access Account, began with site selection based on public access, low trout biomass, the need for instream habitat improvement, and natural groundwater upwelling (a process in which deep, nutrient-rich cold water rises toward the surface). Groundwater upwelling benefits trout by providing cooler water during warm parts of the year, which is necessary for trout survival. Part of the project included the installation of instream cover that provides refuge for larger trout. These larger trout, in turn, produce more eggs and, potentially, more new recruits.  

In addition, DEC and project partners installed three boulder clusters and five root wads during low flows to improve instream habitat. Once construction was complete in fall 2025, crews planted herbaceous and woody plants in the riparian area adjacent to the project and finalized planting by seeding the area with wildflower seed mix.  

A post-construction biological survey is scheduled for summer 2026 to reassess trout biomass at the site.  

Funded through sales of Habitat & Access Stamps, DEC’s Habitat Conservation and Access Account helps supply financial support to improve and conserve fish and wildlife habitat, as well as increase access to public and private lands for fish and wildlife recreation.  Learn more about how sales from DEC’s Habitat & Access Stamps support projects like this on DEC’s website.