Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, Inc.

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Learn to Fly Fish In On Day

The Twin Tier Five Rivers Chapter of the Fly Fishing Federation is holding a fly fishing seminar from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat., March 27 at Southside High School in Elmira.
The high-quality day-long “introduction to fly fishing” course is open to adults and youth, ages 12 and older. The class will provide non-fly fishers with the basic knowledge and skills to get started, and will put novice and ''out of practice'' fly fishers on a fast track to improve their skills.
Classroom topics include fly fishing equipment and use, fly types and use, basic insect knowledge, knot tying, reading water, fishing dry flies, streamers, and nymphs, catching and releasing fish. Students will develop their fly casting skills through several practice sessions throughout the day.
Students can bring and learn on their own equipment (help available for setup, as needed.) Equipment can be provided for those who request it in advance.
Class fee: $75 for adults (ages 16 and over), $50 for youth (ages 12-15, accompanied by a paying adult) ; $10 discount for FFF TTFR members. Lunch and refreshments provided.
Prepaid registration is required by March 19. Class size is limited, so please register early.
Contacts : Steve Harris (sjh529@stny.rr.com), 607-973-2509
Kirk Klingensmith (kklingensmi@stny.rr.com), 607-346-7189




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Flood Mitigation

Source: Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board, www.stcplanning.org

Flooding is a fact of life in the Southern Tier Central region of New York.  Flash floods may occur quickly with little or no warning.  Since the devastating flood caused by Tropical Storm Agnes in June of 1972, various government agencies and other organizations have made efforts to improve flood warnings and reduce the damages caused by flooding.  STC provides technical assistance for a variety of flood risk management activities. 

After evey flood, the tendency has been for residents to rebuild their lives and pray that "this is the last destructive one."  Structural projects have been built in hopes of controlling future flood waters.  As time passes, people tend to forget about flooding and become complacent.  Additional development occurs in flood-prone areas.  Deforestation and upland development increase the amount of runoff.  Stream channels are allowed to become clogged with debris.  In short, residents of the Southern Tier Central region continue to grossly underestimate the destructive powers of their rivers, streams, and lakes.  If future flood damages are to be reduced, flood mitigation measures will need to be incorporated into programs that will outlive the all-too-short memories of area residents.

Things you can do to manage flood risks include:

  • Pay attention to flood warnings and obey evacuation orders.
  • Never drive through flooded roadways:  Turn Around Don't Drown!
  • Do not dump or throw anything into ditches, streams or other waterways.
  • Maintain undeveloped vegetated buffers along rivers, streams, and lakeshores.
  • Protect flood control structures:  Do not operate motor vehicles on an earthen levee or engage in other activities that might damage the vegetation.
  • Make sure that land use activities do not increase the amount of runoff and thus contribute to increased flood hazards.  
  • If you live in a high flood risk area, take steps to protect your property from flood damage.
  • Purchase flood insurance for buildings and contents in order to protect your financial investment.  





River Friends Seeks Volunteers

There are plenty of volunteer opportunites for individuals and groups with River Friends. If you enjoy the outdoors, respect the environment and want to improve your community, please contact us to get involved.
River Friends, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the Chemung River and its tributaries is looking for additional volunteer interns. For more information, contact Jim Pfiffer at (607) 846-2242 or e-mail at riverfriends@stny.rr.com.


Grant keeps River lovers safer and better educated

Residents of Chemung County will be safer and more educated, on the Chemung River, thanks to a recent grant awarded to River Friends.

The $758 Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc., mini-grant will purchase life preservers for paddlers on River Friends sponsored eco-recreation events. The money will also help buy a digital camera for river-related educational programs and presentations.

River Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Chemung River and its tributaries and encouraging people to better use, enjoy and respect our waterways
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River Friends unveils new logo.
Jim Pfiffer, director of the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, and Amanda Bucher, an account executive with Howell, Liberatore & Wickham, in Elmira, hold the logo designed and donated to River Friends by Howell, Liberatore & Wickham. The logo depicts a cyclist, hiker, paddler, the river and the beautiful countryside the waterway flows through. "This generous donation of the logo is a great example of how a local business and River Friends can work together to improve the quality of life, the environment and our communities," Pfiffer says

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Friends of the Chemung River Watershed • 111 N. Main St., Elmira, N.Y. 14901 • (607) 846-2242 • riverfriends@stny.rr.com