Blydenburgh Park still facing the repercussions of flash flood, residents await developments
By Aramis Khosronejad
Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown has been one of Long Island’s shining gems. Its endless outdoors activities for nature lovers and the beautiful scenery of Stump Pond have made it a favorite of Long Island residents.
However, the North Shore flooding Aug. 18-19 dramatically changed the county park’s immediate future. The park, like the Mill Pond in Stony Brook, is suffering the repercussions of the flash flood.
Blydenburgh Park is situated at the headwaters of Nissequogue River and is 627 acres of preserved land. Blydenburgh Lake, otherwise known as Stump Pond due to the stumps of the various trees that were cut down to create the lake, has an additional history which adds to its charm.
The lake was created by a dam constructed by Isaac Blydenburgh and his cousins all the way back in 1798. Over 200 years later, the original dam would be breached by a once-in-a-thousand-years flash flooding for Long Island, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) website description. The Weather Network said there was almost 12 inches of rainfall in Smithtown alone.
The destruction of the dam was a catastrophe for Blydenburgh Lake. The water poured into the Nissequogue River, turning the remains of the famous lake into a dry mud land with only a few meager ponds here and there.
There are various consequences of this kind of colossal drainage, one of which is the effect it will have on wildlife in the area. Blydenburgh was a favorite spot for locals to fish, according to On The Water magazine. The drainage of the lake resulted in a “popular fishery being wiped out overnight,” according to On The Water’s Nick Cancelliere.
Residents who enjoy other outdoor water activities such as kayaking and canoeing are pushing for a quick restoration of the Blydenburgh dam.
A month ago, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) made a public statement affirming the local sentiment about the reconstruction of the dam. “We will be restoring [the dam] as soon as possible,” he said.
The question remains: How will the county manage this immense repair and how long will it take?
Peter Scully is director of business development for Hayduk Engineering of Ronkonkoma and former deputy county executive, and has an extensive history working for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In an interview with TBR, he underscored the rarity of such an event as the one witnessed by Long Islanders in August.
He continued on, saying how recovery for any park greatly affected by the flash flood, such as Smithtown’s Blydenburgh Park, would take a long time.
Financial support for this size of repair will have to come from the state and federal government.
All that locals are able to do is wait and see how the reconstruction of the treasured Blydenburgh Park will play out, how long it will be and what it will take.
