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Backwater Slough |
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System: Riverine
SubSystem: Natural Streams State Protection: Not Listed Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S2 
A State Rarity Rank of S2 means: Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably make it very vulnerable in New York State. Global Rarity Rank: G4
A Global Rarity Rank of G4 means: Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Did you know? The word 'slough' can be pronounced in two different ways, each with a different meaning. When pronouned 'slew' or 'slue', it refers to either an "area of soft muddy ground" or a "marshy or reedy pool, pond, inlet, backwater, or the like." The pronounciation 'sluff' indicates an outer layer of skin (often of a snake), which is cast off periodically. |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
There are probably much less than a thousand occurrences statewide. Very few documented occurrences have good viability and few are protected on public land or private conservation land. This community has statewide distribution, and includes a few large, high quality examples. The current trend of this community is probably stable for occurrences on public land, or declining slightly elsewhere due to moderate threats that include alteration of the natural hydrology and invasive species.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
The number and miles of backwater sloughs associated with unconfined rivers in New York have probably remained stable in recent decades as a result of water quality regulations. Several examples have shown improvement in water quality in recent decades attributed to improved treatment of municipal and industrial waste (Bode et al. 1993).
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
The number and miles of backwater sloughs associated with unconfined rivers in New York are probably comparable to historical numbers, but the water quality of several of these rivers has likely declined significantly prior to the enforcement of water quality regulations (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water 2000).
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Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2012 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Backwater Slough. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9943. Accessed May 20th, 2013. 
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