News from Ellicott Creek

Ellicott Creek Captain Mark Casper has this update to share with us:

Collected coliform samples from wooden bridge in Amherst St Park, and just below the bridge over Glen Ave. at Glen Falls. The creek level is low (2.3 feet at Sheridan Dr monitoring point) due to ice forming - but not yet frozen over at either site. Outdoor Temp 19 deg F. Water temp 32 deg F. A walk by the Williamsville sewer overflow and siphon-under-the-creek site yield a slight sewage smell, but no obvious grey water - the overflow pipe is plugged at the creek but leaking and running in from several points - but running pretty clear. The cesspool behind the Glen Fitness Center remains clear.

I have kayaked this stretch several times lately - a big spill of styrofoam peanuts along a good stretch of the bank, fallen trees have been cleared out by the Town of Amherst. A really fun time like a giant waterslide with the rapids squeezed higher by the frozen banks and ice coating the creek bottom in the shallows. A beaver has been very busy trying to topple an 18" dia tree down by the Old Motherhouse. I love this creek.

Mark Casper
Riverkeeper Captain
Jan 23, 2008

I agree Mark! Thanks for sending us the news.