The Great Swamp Watershed Fact Sheet
Wetland and Watershed
- The Great Swamp wetland, designated DP-22 by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, covers over
6,000 acres. It is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in New York State
- The wetland stretches 20 miles through 5 municipalities: Dover, Pawling (Town and Village), Patterson, and Southeast.
- The Great Swamp Watershed (drainage basin) covers 63,018 acres.
Plants and Animals
- The Great Swamp supports 39 animals, plants, and natural communities listed as rare in New York State, including Bog
Turtle, Atlantic White Cedar, Spreading Globeflower, Fielddodder, Blazing-star, Rich Sloping Fen, and Rich Graminoid
Fen.
- Animals include deer, turkey, otter, beaver, muskrat, wood duck, and pheasant.
- Wild Brook Trout, Brown Trout and others are found in the East Branch Croton River and the Swamp River.
- Over 90 species of birds can be found in the Great Swamp including Great Blue Heron, Red Tailed Hawk, Marsh Wren,
Osprey, Wood Duck, Thrushes, Vireos, Warblers, and Scarlet Tanager.
Benefits Provided by the Great Swamp
- Enhances water quality
- Habitat for plants and animals
- Reduces flooding
- Open space and scenic views
- Recreation
- Maintains property values
Demographics
- About 40,000 people live in the Great Swamp Watershed.
- Population growth across 5 watershed municipalities is 17% per decade (averaged). (In contrast, Putnam county is the
fastest growing county in New York State, at 8.7% per decade.)
- Population will double in 45 years at current growth rates.
source: The Great Swamp Watershed Conference, October 4, 1997
