Titus Mill-Pond & New York State Tidal Wetlands facts for kids

Titus Mill Pond, Davenport Neck and Harbor Management Area

Titus Mill Pond & New York State Tidal Wetlands are special natural areas. They are located in the city of New Rochelle in Westchester, New York. This area is at the northeastern end of New Rochelle Harbor. The water in the harbor and pond comes from Long Island Sound. The tides here can be quite high, up to eight feet! No fresh water streams flow into this pond.

A Look Back: The Old Mill Pond

Titus Mill Pond was once the site of a busy mill. It was called the Lispenard Mill. In 1708, Antoine Lispenard bought some land here. He bought half of the peninsula between New Rochelle Harbor and Long Island Sound. Six years later, he bought the other half.

How the Mill Worked

Antoine Lispenard built a dam across the inlet. He also built a tidal grist mill. A grist mill uses water power to grind grain into flour. Each incoming tide filled a mill-pond behind the dam. Then, as the tide went out, the water was released. This water flowed through a channel called a millrace. The millrace turned the mill wheel.

The Lispenard Family

Near the mill-pond, Lispenard built his home. It was a stone house with one and a half stories. The front roof extended to form a wide porch. The Lispenard family were Huguenot refugees. They helped establish New Rochelle in the late 1600s. Antoine Lispenard's father was an important person. He worked for the English colonial government.

Later Owners and the Mill's End

Lispenard passed away in 1758. But his son, David Lispenard, kept the mill running. His son-in-law, Jacobus Bleecker, also helped. In 1797, Samuel Titus bought the mill. He owned and operated it for about forty years. Eventually, the mill stopped making money. This was partly because of the Erie Canal opening. The canal helped milling grow quickly in western New York. The mill was finally torn down near the end of the 1800s.

Exploring the Tidal Wetlands

The Titus Mill Pond State Tidal Wetlands are a protected natural area. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) oversees them. These wetlands are on the eastern edge of the pond. This is where the Davenport Neck peninsula connects to the mainland. They are special because human-made structures, like the old mill dam, restrict the normal tide flow.

What are Intertidal Marshes?

The Titus Mill Pond wetland area is an intertidal marsh. An intertidal marsh is a wetland area that is covered and uncovered by tides. It lies between the average high and low tide levels. The main plant here is low marsh cordgrass. Its scientific name is Spartina alterniflora. The water in these wetlands is saltwater from Long Island Sound.

Why Wetlands are Important

Intertidal marshes are very important for nature. They are among the most biologically productive wetlands. This means many different plants and animals live there. They also help control floods and sediment. Even small areas of intertidal marsh are considered very important by the NYSDEC. They are critical for the health of the environment.