Volunteer River Herring Monitoring Program
Established Volunteers: Please scoll down to find the tributary you are assigned to monitor. There are site specific maps and photos for each tributary. There is also information on the monitoring protocol, tide and identification.
Hudson River Herring Background:
Two species of "river" herring use the Hudson River Estuary: The alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis). These species are anadromous, meaning they spend most of their life at sea but migrate into rivers like the Hudson and its tributaries to spawn. Herring serve as prey for many species of fish, mammals and birds in both their ocean and riverine habitats. They are also important to humans who use them for personal consumption and striped bass bait.
Why Help Monitor River Herring?
- Herring stocks in several east coast states are declining.
- We need to gather more information on how herring use the Hudson and its tributaries.
- The Hudson River Estuary is nearly 155 miles long, with approximately 70 tributaries - this is a lot of ground to cover each spring. That is why we need your help.
- Our initial goal is to monitor tributaries in the upper, mid and lower sections of the Hudson River valley to learn more about the timing and location of the run as it occurs each spring.
Program Volunteers Will:
Location: Volunteers will monitor a specific tributary. We ask you to please monitor at your assigned site. If other volunteers visit the creek with you, please only fill out one report.
Frequency: Monitoring will take place April 1st through May 31st. Volunteers should monitor their site at least two times a week, preferably at different times of day, with at least 6 hours between visits. Visually assess the stream for 15 minutes looking for signs of herring (fish in the water, remains on the bank, or fisherman catches). 
Other important information: Additional information will be recorded as well (such as weather and temperature). The data collection in this first year will help us expand the project in the future.
Volunteer Information and The Sites
Site specific information including maps of site locations and pictures of the monitoring locations are listed below. There is also helpful information on the protocol for monitoring, information about tides and how to identify herring. All the information is in PDF format for printing and/or downloading. Some of the maps are large. If you have problems downloading them, contact us and we will send it to you. If you have any questions please email, call or write us (all the contact information is above in the right hand column).
Coeymans Creek
Site map (PDF, 595KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Coeymans Creek
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify river herring (PDF, 156KB- 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Stockport Creek
Site map (PDF, 584KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Stockport Creek
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Indian Kill
Site map (PDF, 567KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Indian Kill
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Black Creek
Site map (PDF, 619KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Black Creek
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Fallkill
Site map (PDF, 537KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Fallkill
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Hunters Brook (off Wappingers Creek)
Site map (PDF, 577KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Hunters Brook
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Moodna Creek
Site map (PDF, 575KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Moodna Creek
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Croton River
Site map (PDF, 691KB - 1 page) and site pictures for Croton River
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
Sparkill Creek
Site map (PDF, 505KB - 1 page)and site pictures for Sparkill Creek
Protocol for monitoring, tide descriptions, and how to identify herring (PDF, 156KB - 3 pages)
Data sheet (PDF, 136KB - 2 pages)
If you think one of these streams would be feasible for you to help monitor on please contact us using the contact info on the right hand side of the page.
Most Importantly:
Thank you Volunteers! You are an integral part of learning how these fish are part of the Hudson River.
All photos on the page are courtesy of B. Young.
This logo represents the Hudson River Estuary Program. Click for more information about our efforts to protect this important estuary.
