FloodControl

Connect with Onondaga County

The Flood Control Division of Water Environment Protection (WEP) provides continuous maintenance and preventative flood measures within the Onondaga County Drainage Districts by removing trash and debris from waterways, maintaining the surrounding landscape, and responding as needed during and after heavy weather events. The Drainage Districts are maintained by WEP for the purposes of Flood Control and are not sanctioned areas of recreation by the County.

Words say Springtime Treatment in blue and green on white over a picture of a work crew spraying a creekbed on a sunny day

Words say year-round maintenance in green and blue on white over a picture of a creek blocked by trash and debris

Words say incident report in green and blue on white over a picture of a fallen tree blocking a stream with the words Click Here to Report in white on green at the bottom

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Onondaga County Drainage Districts?

The Onondaga County Legislature established four (4) Drainage Districts in the 1970s to oversee maintenance and improvements of select waterways and to limit chronic, seasonal flooding in the area.

How does regular maintenance reduce flooding?

Regular maintenance and the removal of trash and debris along with annual herbicide applications keep local waterways at maximum capacity, which increases flow, reduces the likelihood of flooding, and directs water away from neighborhood properties and local habitats.

What type of regular maintenance is performed by WEP's Flood Control Division?

Flood Control regularly mows, trims, and removes woody vegetation and debris, and inspects WEP infrastructure to ensure unobstructed water flow and reduce the chances of flooding during rainfall events. WEP employees do not apply herbicides.

What type of regular maintenance is performed by contracted professionals?

WEP contracts licensed professionals to apply select aquatic herbicides to certain Drainage District locations to control and manage aquatic weed growth and reduce area flooding, as permitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). These professionals will safely apply herbicides according to the application instructions of each product and in compliance with all local and federal laws.

Why are herbicides used as part of regular maintenance?

The purpose of the Drainage Districts is to prevent localized flooding. Vegetation growing in and around drainage ways obstructs the flow and can lead to flooding and other drainage issues. The herbicide applications have the added benefit of reducing habitat for undesirable rodents and pests, managing invasive plant species, and increasing visibility for staff maintaining the channel by reducing their risks of slips, falls, and other injuries on rocky, steep banks. It should be noted that many agencies use herbicides to maintain vegetative growth. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), for example, applies them to manage roadsides for motorist safety, to avoid drainage issues, pavement damage, and to deter wildlife.

What products will be applied?

Four (4) aquatic herbicides have been selected for application in the Drainage Districts.

Alligare Whetstone
Alligare SFM 75
Alligare MSM 60
Ragan and Massey Farmworks Glyphosate

Are these products safe for bees?

Herbicides used by our contractor are formulated to target aquatic vegetation and are not labelled harmful to pollinators by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA uses a NOAEL rating (No Observable Adverse Effect Level) to determine the highest dose of product that can be used without showing negative effects. Application rates include a safety factor, which is generally 10x less than the observable NOAEL. By complying with application instructions along with local and federal laws and regulations, WEP's contractor ensures proper effectiveness with minimal impact to the environment, wildlife, and people. For information about each product, labels and safety data sheets are linked above.

Vector art bumble bee creating heart-shaped trail

When are applications made in each Drainage District?

Applications are scheduled annually in early spring. The start dates listed below are estimated, depending on weather and environmental conditions for proper treatment.

2024 Start Date

Drainage District

Reference Maps

Wednesday, March 27

Meadow Brook