MYSTERY FLOODING
Officials race to uncover cause of high water near Saratoga Monument
VICTORY, N.Y. >> Officials are trying to determine the cause of high water that has blocked access to the Saratoga Monument parking lot.
Standing water in a low area along Cemetery Road was pumped last spring, too, but this year it flooded the monument’s parking lot and nearly covered some graves at adjacent Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Early Monday, Saratoga National Historical Park workers began pumping water onto a nearby farm field. But with showers forecast Wednesday, there’s a concern levels could rise again.
“We certainly want to find the root cause of the water,” said Amy Bracewell, park superintendent. “We definitely want to find out what’s causing it so it doesn’t keep happening. We’ve had to divert staff to monitor the pumping.”
Bracewell said tests done by two different entities produced different results.
On March 13 and April 3,
Glens Falls-based DCK Services LLC performed tests that found no chlorine content, indicating the water isn’t coming from a municipal source. The firm was hired by the Schuylerville-Victory Board of Water Management.
However, a separate test on April 10 by the nonprofit New York Rural Water Association identified chlorine residual, meaning at least some water might be municipally-sourced. This agency was brought in at the historical park’s request.
The Water Association recommended removing water from the area and then coming back to investigate where it’s coming from.
One theory is that a Cemetery Road home, directly across from the water, has experienced basement flooding, which might be contributing to the problem.
“The path forward is to get the two groups together to determine if there is a leak,” said Dan Baker, Board of Water Management chairman. “I would just like to see the issue resolved.”
The area remained dry last summer after workers pumped it out in the spring, but water began collecting again in December when the ground started to freeze. Baker said he doesn’t believe there is a leak because the site stayed dry last year after standing water was removed.
The past two winters have been quite mild. Instead of snow slowly melting away, it’s possible that rain has accumulated on top of the frozen ground.
This winter, when temperatures were cold enough, kids used the makeshift pond to skate on.
“Someone had fun kayaking on it the other day,” said Terri Stripling, who lives across the street on Cemetery Road. “I’m slightly entertained by the ducks, but the mosquitoes are a problem.”
Stripling said a brood of early-season mosquitoes hatched during a recent warm spell. Doughnutshaped mosquito “dunks” that kill larvae, have been put in the water, she said.
Saratoga Monument, which pays tribute to the American victory during the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, opens for the season in May. Victory Woods, also part of the historical park, is open year round. Because of high water, however, people haven’t been able to use the monument parking lot, which also provides access to the Victory Woods trail.
Bracewell said pumping equipment has been loaned by Saratoga County Public Works Department.
Also, Saratoga County Soil and Water Conservation District is trying to help identify the problem’s source. In addition, Bracewell credited Welcome Stock Farm co-owner Bill Peck for letting crews pump water onto property he owns near the monument
“It’s been a collaborative effort,” she said.
Five years ago, the historical park installed new rest rooms near the monument. Bracewell said a leak was discovered last year. But the problem was fixed and isn’t believed to be causing this spring’s high standing water, she said.