Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
Encyclopedia
The Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area is a conservation area located at the confluence of the main and south branches of Cattaraugus Creek, on the border of Erie County
and Cattaraugus County
in western New York
, USA. The area is within the Towns of Collins
, Otto
, and Persia
.
"Zoar Valley" often refers inclusively to the larger valley of the Cattaraugus, but the state Multiple Use Area specifically encompasses an eight-mile section of the creek's Main Branch Canyon and three miles of the smaller South Branch. Canyon depths here are by far the greatest within the entire river corridor, ranging up to 380 feet in the South Branch and 480 feet along the Main Branch. Several nearly vertical rock faces approach 400 feet. Zoar Valley contains some of the last stands of old growth forest
in Western New York and consists of 2939 acres (11.9 km²). In 2007, as part of the drafting and implementation of Zoar Valley's Unit Management Plan, the entire state-owned length of gorge plus a 300 foot buffer (where sufficient public land is held), and a 300 foot buffer along several of the larger side creeks, was designated as the Zoar Valley Unique Area, which affords conservation protection comparable to that enjoyed by wildlands in the Adirondacks. The Unique Area contains the large majority of the currently known or suspected old-growth forest, all of the slope and cliff/talus plant communities, and all of the riverside floodplain and terrace woodlands. This achievement culminated a dedicated campaign by citizens, activists, and scientists/students to see this ecological gem awarded the recognition and preservation it has long deserved.
Zoar Valley is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the state of New York. Partially due to the amount of accidental deaths that have occurred from individuals falling into the south branch gorge. Skeletons of 9 foot humans have also been found. Ancient Spiritual ceremonies have been said to be practiced, along with human sacrifice, hundreds of years ago.
. The valley is considered defined by Gowanda
in the west and Springville
in the east.
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
and Cattaraugus County
Cattaraugus County, New York
Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,317. The county seat is Little Valley.-History:...
in western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA. The area is within the Towns of Collins
Collins, New York
Collins is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The town is on the south border of the county and is considered to be one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County. The population indicated by the 2000 census was 8,307. The population for 2007 is estimated at 7,092, a loss of 1,215...
, Otto
Otto, New York
Otto is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 831 at the 2000 census. The name comes from Jacob S. Otto, an agent of the Holland Land Company.The Town of Otto lies on the northern border of the county.- History :...
, and Persia
Persia, New York
Persia is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 2,512 at the 2000 census.The Town of Persia is in the northwest part of the county.- History :The town was first settled around 1812....
.
"Zoar Valley" often refers inclusively to the larger valley of the Cattaraugus, but the state Multiple Use Area specifically encompasses an eight-mile section of the creek's Main Branch Canyon and three miles of the smaller South Branch. Canyon depths here are by far the greatest within the entire river corridor, ranging up to 380 feet in the South Branch and 480 feet along the Main Branch. Several nearly vertical rock faces approach 400 feet. Zoar Valley contains some of the last stands of old growth forest
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
in Western New York and consists of 2939 acres (11.9 km²). In 2007, as part of the drafting and implementation of Zoar Valley's Unit Management Plan, the entire state-owned length of gorge plus a 300 foot buffer (where sufficient public land is held), and a 300 foot buffer along several of the larger side creeks, was designated as the Zoar Valley Unique Area, which affords conservation protection comparable to that enjoyed by wildlands in the Adirondacks. The Unique Area contains the large majority of the currently known or suspected old-growth forest, all of the slope and cliff/talus plant communities, and all of the riverside floodplain and terrace woodlands. This achievement culminated a dedicated campaign by citizens, activists, and scientists/students to see this ecological gem awarded the recognition and preservation it has long deserved.
History
The land was acquired by the state under the 1960 Multiple Use Bond Act, and additional land was added from Herbert F. Darling. The multiple use area is maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State. The adjacent Deer Lick Conservation Area is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Two other privately owned conservation areas, the William P. Alexander Preserve and the Rodger Sweetland Memorial Preserve, are located nearby and are owned by The Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York, Inc.Zoar Valley is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the state of New York. Partially due to the amount of accidental deaths that have occurred from individuals falling into the south branch gorge. Skeletons of 9 foot humans have also been found. Ancient Spiritual ceremonies have been said to be practiced, along with human sacrifice, hundreds of years ago.
Geography
The multiple use area is located in the valley of the Cattaraugus CreekCattaraugus Creek
Cattaraugus Creek is a stream, approximately 68 miles long, in western New York in the United States. The creek drains a wooded rural portion of western New York southwest of Buffalo into Lake Erie. In its lower course it flows primarily through the Cattaraugus Reservation of the Seneca tribe...
. The valley is considered defined by Gowanda
Gowanda, New York
Gowanda is a village in New York in the United States and lies partly in Erie County and partly in Cattaraugus County. The population was 2,842 at the 2000 census. The name is a local native term meaning "almost surrounded by hills" or "beautiful place among the hills...
in the west and Springville
Springville, New York
Springville is a village in the southeast part of the town of Concord in Erie County, New York, United States. Springville is the principal community in the town and a major business location in south Erie County. The population was 4,252 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara...
in the east.