The Black River Initiative is a multi-pronged approach to protect and improve the water quality, recreational opportunities and communities along the Black River. The Black River Watershed Management Plan (2010), The Black River 9 Element Plan (2016), Black River Blueway Trail Plan (2007), and Black River Trail Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (2012) provide the foundation to advance existing efforts and new projects that enhance and improve all aspects of the Black River. Please go to https://tughill.org/projects/black-river-projects/black-river-watershed-conference/ for information about our annual Black River Watershed Conference.
Black River Initiative Newsletters:
Winter 2025 Black River Newsletter, NEW!
Winter 2024 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2023 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2022 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2021 Black River Newsletter
Ten Years of Progress in the Black River Watershed 2010-2020
Winter 2019 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2018 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2017 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2016 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2015 Black River Newsletter
Winter 2014 Black River Newsletter
Spring 2009 Black River Newsletter
Black River Blueway Trail Project:
Black River Blueway Trail
Black River Navigation Study
Black River Tail Scenic Byway Project:
Black River Trail Scenic Byway
Interested in learning more about the Black River Initiative and the collaborative efforts? Check out this webinar recording below!
On October 23rd, Lewis and Jefferson County SWCD, Tug Hill Commission, and NYSDEC collaborated with Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center on a webinar: Advancing Watershed Health: How Partnerships and Planning Can Strengthen Local Water Quality. Key takeaways and lessons learned from over 15 years of coordinated watershed management under the Black River Initiative were shared. With notable water quality improvements, this effort showcased how sustained partnerships, data-driven strategies, and locally led implementation can deliver measurable results, highlighting the value of monitoring nutrients, sediment, and phosphorus loading, and how Nine Element (9E) Watershed Plans helped support these efforts. To view the webinar recording, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clrb3gQafXk