Editing Breakneck Ridge (section)

== Breakneck Brook Dam ==

[[File:Breakneck-ridge-2.jpg|left|thumb|Breakneck Brook a few months after demolition of the Breakneck Dam in 2011]]
[[File:Breakneck-ridge.jpg|left|thumb|Storm King Mountain as seen from the summit of Breakneck Ridge]]
During my first visit to Breakneck Ridge in Autumn 2009, there was a small pond on the eastern side of the ridge formed by the damming of Breakneck Brook.  The pond was intact during my second visit to Breakneck Ridge in Autumn of 2010.  During my third visit to Breakneck Ridge in Autumn of 2011, however, the dam had been formally demolished and most of the debris had been removed.  This had effectively drained the pond, leaving behind an expansive mud flat through which Breakneck Brook meandered unobstructed.

During subsequent research, I discovered a bulletin released by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, dated January 5, 2011, which detailed the reason for the demolition of the dam.

<BLOCKQUOTE>
"The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP),
as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Decommissioning of Breakneck Dam, Hudson Highlands
State Park will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves a proposal by NYS
OPRHP to decommission Breakneck Dam located along Breakneck Brook and restore the original stream and
riparian area. The dam has several leaks and is in disrepair. NYS OPRHP has determined that repairs to the
structure would be expensive and would likely not increase public use or enjoyment of Hudson Highlands State
Park. The decision to decommission the dam is also believed preferable from an environmental standpoint as
it will result in the restoration of the original streambed and riparian area. The project is located approximately 1
mile from the Brook Trail trailhead on Route 9D in Hudson Highlands State Park in the Town of Philipstown,
New York."
</BLOCKQUOTE>