Final

Schenectady County Multi- Jurisdictional

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
February 2016
4.12Landslide
2014 Updates
- Updated history of event
- Added updated map of landslide vulnerability
- Added USGS study summary for assessing landslide vulnerability

Hazard Description
Landslide is defined as the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials
reacting to the force of gravity. Slide materials may be composed of natural rock, soil, artificial
fill, or combinations of these materials.

4.12.1 Geographic Location/Extent/Severity – Landslide Hazard

The potential for landslides exists across the entire state and the entire Northeast United States.
Scientific and historical landslide data exists which indicates those areas of the state having a
substantial landslide risk. According to information provided by US and NY State Geological
Survey, it is estimated that 80% of New York State has a low susceptibility to landslide hazard.
In general, the highest potential for landslides can be found along major river valleys that have
been occupied by glacial lakes resulting in a soil makeup of glacial lake deposits (glacial lake
clays).

Schenectady County participated in a study titled; Landslide Susceptibility – A Pilot Study of

Schenectady County, NY. This study was staffed by the following individuals:

William Kappel, USGS; William Kelly, NYSGS; Andrew Kozlowski, NYSGS; Daniel O’Brien,
NYSEMO; Jason McWhirter, NYSEMO; Ran Zhang, NYSEMO; James Kalohn, Schenectady
County Economic Development and Planning Department; Mark Storti, Schenectady County
Economic Development and Planning Department; Tony Minnitti, NYSDOT; Steve Emerick,
NYSCSCIC.

The basic premise was to identify readily available information regarding steep slopes, soil
types, and soil characteristics with regard to ability to hold moisture, erosive characteristics, and
the physical make –up of the soil. How these factors were weighted is explained below:

Included in the tabular data are soil properties that factor into calculating landslide susceptibility.
The soil unit properties contained in the soil survey that were identified by the pilot study
geologists Kappel, Kelly, and Kozlowski as landslide susceptibility indicators include: 1)
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASSHTO) Soil
Classification; 2) Liquid Limit; 3) Hydrologic Group; 4) Physical Soil Properties (%silt and
%clay); and 5) Hazard of Erosion. In this pilot study methodology, each of these soil unit
properties was assigned a weighted value relative to their contributing factor in predicting
landslide susceptibility (see below – relative weights are shown in parentheses).

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Map 4-7

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Range groupings were established from “total score” values to assign landslide susceptibility
descriptive zones as “HIGH” – greater than 75 (RED); “MODERATE” – 61 – 75 (ORANGE);
“LOW” – 51 – 60 (YELLOW); “VERY LOW” – 41 – 50 (BEIGE); “NO CONCERN” – less
than 41 (GREEN). See Map 4-7
Map 4-8

Known landslide locations were then mapped over this new layer and 10 of 13 landslide events
fall within a “HIGH” landslide susceptible zone.

The “HIGH” landslide susceptibility zone comprises only 2% of the total area of Schenectady
County. Given that only a limited area of the County is classified as “HIGH” susceptibility and
that 10 of 13 landslide events fall within this zone, the model has shown, in this instance, to be
an excellent tool to identify areas that may be susceptible to a landslide hazard.

This data and landslide susceptibility has been added to SIMS as a layer of information available
to local government for their use in project review for subdivisions, and construction projects. It
is intended only for guidance in determining if further study may be needed to assess the
potential for landslide.

The landslide incidents information included on Map 4-9 was compiled from local knowledge
and research conducted by Union College Professor Garver. This map indicates the location of
all known landslides in Schenectady County as identified in the history below.

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The two characteristics of areas that are susceptible to landslides are slope of the terrain and soil
makeup or type. Glacial lake clay soils have a higher risk for landslide, and slopes with an angle
of repose greater than 10% have a higher risk as well. Human and natural factors that can
increase the risk of triggering a land slide are as follows; water saturation of the ground, loading
or increased weight at the top of the slope ( i.e. building or adding fill to the top), or taking away
or removing soil or material from the bottom of the slope.

4.12.2 History
Landslides within the County have historically have been associated with the silty sands and
clays deposited in glacial Lake Albany that subsequently were eroded by the Mohawk River over
the thousands of years after Lake Albany drained creating the steep bluffs that line Downtown
Schenectady. The bluffs are most prominent from the intersection of Hamilton St. and Veeder
Ave. and continue west on the South side of Broadway, across I-890 along the northern
boundary of the Mt. Pleasant and Bellevue Neighborhoods. These bluffs exhibit angles of
repose between 30 and 45 degrees and are covered with dense vegetation containing many
mature trees. Over time, gravity takes its toll and evidence of slope movement can be inferred by
observing the J shape of the trunks of trees on the slope. In the past ten years, two significant
landslides have occurred as noted in the table below. The January 1996 (part of a previously
discussed major winter storm event) slide resulted in one death and significant property damage
to one business on Broadway. The other event characterized as a slow slump due to soil saturated
from rains and thaw occurred in March of 2004. It resulted in the demolition of two residential
structures and temporary evacuation of four other nearby structures, on First Ave. and temporary
closure of Broadway and three businesses located at the base of the hill.

Table 4-17 Historic Landslide Events

Hazard and Date Area Affected Property Damage FEMA Local Gov’t
Estimate Reimbursement

Landslides
May 22, 2013 Pangburn Rd., Kelley Washout culverts and
High Volume Short Station Rd drainage ditches
Duration Storm

Hurricane Irene 2011 Wolfs Hollow $400,000

Washouts due to high

volume runoff
July 23, 2008 Wolfs Hollow, Bike $1,690,000 $806,000
Washouts due to short Trail Near Lock 8,
duration high volume Glenville, Rotterdam
Storm Junction, Princetown
Duanesburg
April, 2004 Slope below Bellevue Leaking water service
Little League - City of saturated soil and
Schenectady landslide occurred

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 down to railroad track

March 8, 2004 Schenectady, 1st Ave. $200k Evacuation of

& Broadway – City of six homes, two houses
Schenectady demolished closed
traffic, drilling and
soil analysis has been
conducted.
Aug. 4, 2003 I-890- City of Slumping I-890,
Schenectady @Michigan Ave.,
closed 1 lane 1-3 days

Jan. 19, 1996 Schenectady, One death, closed Total City storm
Broadway Tel Oil street for approx one damage $2.6 million
below Summit Ave. week no data was available
City of Schenectady directly related to the
landslide.
Oct. 7-8, 1903 Landslide Veeder Pushed one house off
Ave. onto Broadway foundation
City of Schenectady
Sept. 18, 1853 Landslide Blocked railroad for
Schermerhorn Ravine short period.
between Bellevue and
Mt. Pleasant, City of
Schenectady
Source: Major Floods on the Mohawk River (NY): 1832-2000 Mat Scheller; Karen Luey;
John I. Garver, Ph.D.

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Map 4-9

Since the completion of the hazard mitigation study in 2008, the landslides at Rynex Corners Rd,
Kelley Station Rd., Wolf Hollow Rd. were all related to short duration high volume storms in
July of 2008 and Hurricane Irene in 2011. The 1996 Broadway landslide occurred as a result of
rainfall and rapid snow melt. It resulted in one death and closing of Broadway for approximately
a 48 hour period for removal of mud and trees that flowed off the hill west of Summit Ave. The
only other landslides that have occurred were an earth-slide in Sept. 18, 1853 on the railroad
tracks in Schermerhorn’s ravine. An autumn flood October 7–8 of 1903 caused a landslide from
Veeder Ave. onto Centre St.--now Broadway. The newspaper account of the landslide indicated
it knocked a house off its foundation and filled the basement.

Other events include: Summer of 2003 minor slump of hillside on the east side of I-890 south of
Michigan Ave. Closing of one lane for less than 24 hours. In addition, there have been three
areas in the Town of Princetown that have experienced landslides over the past 25 years. Kelley
Station Road at the railroad crossing of Rt. 7 had a landslide in the 1980’s due to a heavy rainfall
event, and that slope continues to be susceptible to slumping. Ennis Road near the Sand Sea Kill
has experienced slope stability problems due to erosion of the bank during storm events that fill
the Sand Sea Kill. Most recently during the June flood of 2006 the Sand Sea Kill eroded the
slope adjoining Pattersonville/Rynex Corners Rd.

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4.12.3 Impact
Landslide prone slopes will have potential impacts upon structures located at the foot of the
slope or at the top of the slope. Road or rail infrastructure and utilities above ground and below
ground located in these areas are susceptible to damage due to blockage of road/rail by debris or
breaking of utility lines. Infrastructure generally can be repaired and roads cleared of debris
within one or two weeks after the slope has been stabilized.

4.12.4 Probability of Future Occurrence

It is probable that future landslides will occur. All of the historical landslide events have been
related to rainfall or spring thaw events when the ground becomes saturated and the slope fails
due to the accumulated weight and the subsurface clay layer acts as a slippery surface for the
overburdened soils. It is difficult to predict the future frequency of landslide events because of
the variables noted above. A conservative estimate would be that a landslide could be expected
to occur once every 15 years.

4.12.5 Vulnerability
4.12.5.1 Area of Concern
Areas of concern that have been delineated by the study are in the areas of moderate or high
landslide susceptibility. The mapping of these areas is available on the Schenectady Internet
Mapping System (SIMS). The areas that are identified are generally those of steep slopes as
would be expected. The bulk of these high susceptibility areas are located in undeveloped
ravines and steep slope areas that are only a threat to wildlife and obstruction of natural drainage
patterns.

Additional information that can be added to the study map would be to document the available
data from well and drilling logs for the moderate and high rated areas to indicate the depth to
bedrock. In those locations with little or no loose surface soils, there is a reduced risk of
landslide. Further study of the characteristics and depth of soils to bedrock and the angles of
repose of the slopes may be prudent to further assess the landslide risk.

4.12.5.2 Impact on Critical Facilities

The critical facilities that may be vulnerable to a landslide are I-890, Broadway and the CP
railroad tracks. Review of the mapping completed on SIMS did not show any additional critical
facilities in an area of high susceptibility to landslides.

4.12.5.3 Loss Estimate

Further study of the soil characteristics and slopes in the City of Schenectady in the area of
potential landslides would be needed to accurately delineate the area of concern to estimate the
economic losses that could be expected in the event of a landslide. Setbacks of existing
structures and infrastructure from the top and toe of slopes would have to be analyzed to
determine if they are in an area that may be susceptible to landslides.

4.12.5.4 Overall Vulnerability Assessment

Landslides within the County have occurred infrequently. Historically they have been
concentrated in the City of Schenectady as previously documented occurring sporadically over
the last 150 years. Unfortunately, two of the most recent landslides have resulted in property
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damage and a death. These slopes have been mitigated as noted below. Other areas that are
susceptible to landslides have been identified and the majority of them are in undeveloped areas.
Landslides in the past have been associated with unusual concentrations of rainfall and or snow
melt that resulted in soil saturation. Frequency of landslides may increase in the future due to the
predicted trends of increased rainfall and increased short duration high volume storms by the
Climaid (2012) report.

4.12.5.5 Mitigation Activities 2008-2014

Mitigation measures to stabilize slopes have been taken in the areas along Broadway from the
area north of I-890 along Broadway to the railroad over pass utilizing a Hazard Mitigation Grant
for $1.5 million. The State of NY DOT also conducted slope stabilization activities on the east
side of Balltown Rd. near Aqueduct Rd. an area that was identified as an area high susceptibility
for landslide in the study. The County of Schenectady completed mitigation action in 2007 for
Ennis Rd. slope stabilization under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for a cost of $500,000.

4.13 Drought
Hazard Description:
A prolonged period with no rain, particularly during the planting and growing season in
agricultural areas. Limited winter precipitation accompanied by moderately long periods during
the spring and summer months can also lead to drought conditions.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Drought
Management Task Force identifies droughts in the following four stages:

1. Normal is considered the standard moisture soil levels found throughout the State.

2. Drought Watch is the first stage. This stage is declared by DEC and is intended to give
advanced notice of a developing drought. At this stage, the general public is urged to conserve
water. Public water purveyors and industries are urged to update and begin to implement
individual drought contingency plans.

3. Drought Warning is the second stage. This stage also is declared by DEC and is a notice of
impending and imminent severe drought conditions. A warning declaration includes stepping up
public awareness and increasing voluntary conservation. Public water supply purveyors and
industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans. Federal, state, and
local water resources agencies are notified to prepare for emergency response measures.

4. Drought Emergency is the third stage. This stage is declared by the New York State Disaster
Preparedness Commission (DPC), based upon recommendation of the Task Force. It is a notice
of existing severe and persistent drought conditions. An emergency declaration is a notice for
local water resources agencies to mandate conservation and implement other emergency
response measures. A continuing and worsening drought emergency may result in the Governor
declaring a drought disaster. It is a notice of the most severe and persistent drought conditions.
At this stage a significant proportion of communities in the impacted area are likely unable to
respond adequately.

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4.13.1 Geographic Location/Extent/Severity;
A drought in Schenectady County will affect the whole County because there is little variation in
total precipitation received County wide in general. Winter drought would not have as great an
impact as would a summer drought in that impacts are experienced by agricultural uses.

4.13.2 History
Schenectady County has had two droughts as noted in the State of NY Hazard Mitigation (2014)
plan in the mid 1960’s. Schenectady County communities generally have access to an ample
amount of water supply that’s used for agriculture, recreation, industrial, medical, residential,
and drinking needs. The vast majority of County residents and businesses receive their water
from the municipal wells of the City of Schenectady, Village of Scotia, and Towns of Rotterdam,
Glenville and Niskayuna. These wells are located in the glacial deposits of the Schenectady EPA
designated sole source aquifer. The Village of Delanson has two surface reservoirs and the
Town of Princetown has wells alongside the Normanskill Creek that is a tributary to the Hudson
River watershed. There is no record of a drought impacting these water supplies. Occasionally
municipalities will issue yard watering restrictions during dry periods to conserve the cost of
energy needed to pump water from the wells and conserve water to keep water supplies in the
water towers.

During a dry spell in the 1990’s the County Emergency Management and Soil and Water
Conservations District organized water pumping to a few farms that needed water for livestock
because ponds on their property were drying up. Also, on occasions, low producing wells in
some of the hill town areas have run low requiring homeowners to resort to water conservation
or temporary water deliveries for supplies.

4.13.3 Impact
Primarily the impact is on rural areas that may experience loos of well and pond water for
livestock or irrigation. Municipal water supplies are generally not threatened and in the past have
only restricted outdoor watering to reduce demand

4.13.4 Probability of Future Occurrence and influence of Climate Change

We may see increased drought occurrence as the result of Climate Change as outlined in the
NYS Climate Report (Climaid) Page 35 of the Report indicates that the numbers of droughts are
likely to increase during summer months due to increased temps and evaporation. Also snow
pack and melt patterns could increase the potential for drought as well.

4.13.5 Vulnerability
4.13.5.1 Area of Concern
The area of concern for drought impacts is primarily rural areas that do not have a municipal
water supply or have large agricultural uses dependent upon water for crops or livestock.

4.13.5.2 Impact on Critical Facilities

Drought poses minimal impact upon critical facilities. The most vulnerable facility is the
Delanson water supply because it relies upon the storage of water in two reservoirs. Discussions

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with the Village indicate that they have never had a shortage of water that required any
extraordinary measures of conservation or limited supply for their customers.

4.13.5.3 Loss Estimate

Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS) data indicates that Schenectady County
has had two droughts between 1960 and 2012. Those droughts according to the SHELDUS
database were in 1988 and 1991, and the County suffered a total crop loss estimated at $352,451
or about a 6% loss of total annual crop sales of $3,000,000. Drought of a similar duration could
be expected to result in a similar 6% loss in today’s conditions. The 2012 Agricultural Census
indicates that total crop sales in Schenectady County are $4,161,000 therefore a drought could be
expected to result in a loss of approximately $250,000.

4.13.5.4 Overall Vulnerability Assessment

The risk potential for drought represents a low hazard according to the County wide survey and
the CEPA ranking due to the infrequency of occurrence which is on average once every 30
years. Public water supplies have not been adversely impacted during past droughts.

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