Workers finish project to restore flood-damaged barrier bar in Sandy Creek

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. — Work has wrapped up on the restoration of the North Sandy Pond barrier bar, a $600,000 project awarded to the town of Sandy Creek in Oswego County.

The project is part of New York’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Monday.

The North Sandy Pond barrier bar is part of the largest barrier-pond ecosystem on Lake Ontario’s New York shore. The barrier bar protects North Sandy Pond along with the homes and local businesses along its border.

The area suffered “significant” damage in 2017 and 2019 when “historically high” lake levels and “intense” wave action eroded the dunes along the barrier bar.

To restore the barrier bar and protect North Sandy Pond, crews replaced sand along 4,000 feet of shoreline using sand dredged from the adjacent navigational channel and the shoal behind the channel.

The sand had been washed into the channel during storm surges due to higher water levels on the lake. In addition, local volunteers planted dune grass to help stabilize the reconstructed dunes.

The completed project strengthens the barrier bar dividing North Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario, providing protection to homes and businesses. North Sandy Pond is designated as a “significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat” and is home to vegetation and wildlife. The restoration of the barrier bar is “critical” to maintain the wetland habitat for dune-dwelling plants, animals, fish, and birds, the DEC said.

About REDI

New York State established REDI to “increase the resilience” of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. It followed the “extended pattern of flooding” along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The state established five REDI regional planning committees to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public-safety concerns.

Committees included representatives from eight counties: Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Wayne, Niagara, Orleans, and Monroe.

Through REDI, the state has committed up to $300 million to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.