Hutchinson River Watershed Plan

Protecting our rivers can be done in many different ways. One way is through watershed planning, a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven process of assessing the current health of a river and all of the lands that drain to it, as well as identifying possible interventions to eliminate sources of pollution or bolster ecosystem and community well-being. The Hutchinson River, which runs through Westchester County through Scarsdale, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham, and the Bronx before it empties into the Sound at Eastchester Bay, is in desperate need of this planning. Today, all segments of the lower Hutchinson River are listed on the New York State 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies.

To restore the Hutchinson River, Save the Sound and Westchester County are working closely with local stakeholders to develop the Hutchinson River Watershed Plan following the US EPA 9 element plan (9E) approach. Through this planning process, we will:

  1. Identify nonpoint source pollution contributing to water quality impairment and risks associated with flooding, and propose management, restoration, and design recommendations to improve water quality and reduce flooding in the watershed;
  2. Identify implementable restoration and stormwater mitigation projects with a focus on those that provide flood mitigation and emphasize nature-based solutions; and
  3. Engage and educate municipal agencies, key stakeholders in the watershed, and the public through the formation of a Watershed Steering Committee, volunteer opportunities, public meetings, and webinars.

Funding for Phase I of the plan that will cover the Westchester County portion of the watershed was awarded to Save the Sound by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Upcoming Phase II of the plan will cover the Bronx portion of the watershed.

Click HERE to submit public input.

Latest Project Information

Project Status

Task 1: Watershed Baseline Assessment – Complete

Task 2: Identify Watershed Improvement Opportunities – In Progress

Next Public Meeting

April, 2023 – TBD

Additional Engagement Opportunities

Coming in the Spring. Stay Tuned!

Downloads

9/21/22 Hutchinson River Watershed Plan Kick Off Presentation

2/21/23 Hutchinson River Watershed Plan Second Public Meeting Presentation

Links

Interested in the Hutchinson River’s water quality?

Contact

reducerunoff@savethesound.org


Get Involved
Jump in

Join the fight! Memberships start at just $25 – support that’s badly needed now for a healthy, sustainable environment over the long term.

Join now

Take part

Thursday, Apr. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Clean Waters & Thriving Coastlines New leaders of Save the Sound, David Ansel, vice president of water protection, and Laura Wildman, vice president of ecological restoration, will guide a discussion on how we are working to create a more resilient and thriving coastline.

See more

Connect with us

Stay in touch by joining our activist network email list. We'll keep you up-to-date with current initiatives, ways you can take action and volunteer opportunities.

Sign up