Casperkill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casperkill |
|
|---|---|
The Casperkill in March 2014
|
|
| Other name(s) | Casper Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Dutchess |
| Municipality | Town of Poughkeepsie, City of Poughkeepsie |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Peach Hill Dutchess County, New York, United States |
| Length | 11.6 mi (18.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 12 sq mi (31 km2) |
| Tributaries |
|
The Casperkill is a creek located in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York. It is also known as Jan Casper's Kill or Casper Creek on some maps. The creek flows for about 11.6 miles (18.7 km). Its journey starts at Peach Hill Park and ends when it joins the Hudson River.
The Casperkill and its main tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one), the Fonteyn Kill, together form a large area called a subwatershed. This area covers about 12 square miles (31 km²). The entire creek flows within an old land grant from 1685, known as the Rombout Patent.
Contents
Understanding the Casperkill Creek
Since 2006, a special group called the Casperkill Assessment Project has been studying the Casperkill creek. This project is a team effort. It involves the Vassar College Environmental Research Institute and local groups and people.
What Does the Project Study?
Students and teachers at Vassar College look at many things about the creek. They study its biology (living things), geology (rocks and land), and chemistry (water quality). They also examine how land is used around the creek. This includes looking at rules and decisions that affect the creek's health.
Sharing What They Learn
All the information found by this research is shared with the public. It is put into a document called the Casperkill Assessment Document. This helps everyone learn more about the creek.
Helping the Casperkill Watershed
Soon after the assessment project began, a group of citizens formed the Casperkill Watershed Alliance. This group works to protect and improve the creek.
What Does the Alliance Do?
The alliance wants to make people aware of the Casperkill. They also want to help people appreciate its natural beauty. Most importantly, they work to improve the creek's environment.
Who is Part of the Alliance?
The alliance is a partnership of many different groups. It includes the Vassar Environmental Research Institute. It also works with Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County. Residents who live near the Casperkill, local officials, and other interested people are also involved.
Community Activities
The group meets every month. They also organize fun community events. These events help the creek and its surroundings. Some activities include:
- Planting trees along the creek banks.
- Marking storm drains to remind people not to pollute.
- Cleaning up the creek.
- Workshops on natural lawn care.
- Workshops on how to use rain barrels.
- Organizing bike rides along the creek.
Stories of the Casperkill
The Casperkill Oral History Project started in 2010. This project collects stories about the creek.
Collecting Memories and Experiences
Students from Vassar College interview professors and local residents. They ask about their memories of the Casperkill creek. They also ask about how the area around the creek has changed over time.
What Topics Do They Cover?
The team talks about many interesting topics. These include:
- Places along the creek that have historical importance.
- Changes in wildlife and the environment.
- Personal stories from people who live near the creek.
- How humans have developed the land around the creek.
- How the expansion of IBM in Poughkeepsie in the mid-20th century affected the area.
Sharing the Stories
The information and memories collected are shared with the public. They are often put on a blog for everyone to read. This helps preserve the history of the Casperkill and its community.
