Tug Hill
Tug Hill | |
|---|---|
Region | |
 View of the North Branch of theSalmon Riverafter a fresh snowfall, north ofRedfield,in the Tug Hill region of New York. | |
![Map of New York State showing the greater Tug Hill region (light red), and its heavily forested "core" region (dark red). Core area based upon The Nature Conservancy's 150,000-acre (610 km2) delineation.[1]](/translate/en.wikipedia.org?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3ANYS_Tug_Hill_Region_and_Core.svg&t=vi) Map of New York State showing the greater Tug Hill region (light red), and its heavily forested "core" region (dark red). Core area based uponThe Nature Conservancy's 150,000-acre (610 km2) delineation.[1] | |
| Coordinates:43°37′15″N75°27′50″W/ 43.62090°N 75.46379°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Region | Tug Hill |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,100 sq mi (5,000 km2) |
| Population | |
| • Total | Approx. 100,000[2] |
| Time zone | UTC−5(Eastern Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4(Eastern Daylight Time) |
| Area code | 315 |
Tug Hill,sometimes referred to as theTug Hill Plateau,[4]is an upland region in northernNew York state,notable for heavy wintersnows.[5][6]The Tug Hill region is east ofLake Ontario,north ofOneida Lake,and west of theAdirondack Mountains.The region is separated from the Adirondacks by theBlack RiverValley.
Although the region was sometimes known as the Tug Hill plateau because its top is flat, it is not aplateau,but rather acuesta,since it is composed ofsedimentary rocksthat tip up on one side,[2]rising from about 350 feet (110 m) on the west to over 2,000 feet (610 m) in the east.
It covers portions of fourUpstate New Yorkcounties:Jefferson,Lewis,Oneida,andOswego.
Geographic scope
[edit]The Tug Hill region comprises an expansive ring of rural and agricultural outlying areas surrounding a sparsely populated "core" region. The majority of the region's population is concentrated invillagesthat are situated primarily at the region's outer edge.[2]
Greater Tug Hill region
[edit]The greater Tug Hill region is defined in New York State law as encompassing the following 41townsin fourcounties,with a total area of approximately 2,100 square miles (5,400 km2):[3]
Jefferson County
[edit]Lewis County
[edit]Oneida County
[edit]Oswego County
[edit]Core Tug Hill region
[edit]Within the greater Tug Hill area lies the "core" Tug Hill region, defined not by municipal boundaries but rather by its continuous forests, minimal roads and sparse population. The stated size of the Tug Hill's core varies by source, but generally ranges from 235 square miles (610 km2)[6][7]to 800 square miles (2,100 km2).[2]
History
[edit]Prior to European colonization, what was to become known as the Tug Hill region was controlled by theIroquois Confederacy,specifically theOnondagaandOneidanations.[8]Tug Hill lands were used by the Iroquois as seasonal hunting and fishing grounds; permanent settlements were located primarily to the south and west of the region.[9]These and other lands were seized from the Iroquois following theAmerican Revolution.[7]
Four million acres (16,187 km2) in and around the Tug Hill region were initially purchased by colonial land speculator William Constable, who in turn subdivided the land to sell toNew Englandersand newly arrived European immigrants. He also set aside 10,500 acres (42 km2) for regional improvements, such as roads and canals.[7]
Inexpensive land, abundant timber resources, and available farmland drove increased settlement in the region from 1820 to 1880. Expanding railroads and the completion of theBlack River Canalin 1851 allowed for increased exports of food and timber products out of the region, often destined forNew York City.Dairy farming and timber-based industries flourished in the region throughout the late 1800s, and around 1870, the region's population peaked at 80,000.[7]
However, the Tug Hill's rugged terrain, poor soils, and difficult winters eventually caused many of the region's inhabitants to abandon their farms and settlements.[7]By 1930, most of the region's agriculture and industry was concentrated in the more fertile valleys of the region's northwestern perimeter. Intentional and naturalreforestationsoon obscured almost all evidence of the core's relatively brief agricultural era.[9]
Characteristics
[edit]Geography and ecology
[edit]The core Tug Hill region encompasses 150,000 acres (610 km2) of unbroken, generally second-growth, northernhardwoodforest,[7]and is drained by a vast network of streams. Important rivers and streams whose headwaters are located within the Tug Hill region include theMohawk River,Deer River,Salmon River,Mad River,Sandy Creek,and the east and west branches ofFish Creek.[10]Despite the presence of numerous streams, many of the soils in the regions' core are poorly drained. Almost all the soils have some combination of factors which render them unsuitable for agriculture, including shallow depth, stoniness, rough topography, poor or excessive drainage, strong acidity and/or low fertility. Agricultural activity is largely absent from the Tug Hill's core, and is concentrated mainly in the outlying northern and western portions of the region, where soils are better drained and more fertile.[11]
According to theA. W. KuchlerU.S.potential natural vegetationtypes, the Tug Hill Plateau would have a dominant vegetation type of NorthernHardwoods(106) with a dominant vegetation form of NorthernHardwoods(23).[12]Theplant hardiness zoneat the Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area is 4a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −29.5 °F (−34.2 °C).[13]The spring bloom typically peaks around May 13 and fall color usually peaks around September 30.
Although much of the area is controlled by New York State, small, privately owned parcels exist, and most permanent residences are located near state highways or maintained county roads. Whilehuntingcamps in the back country areas of the Tug Hill region that are maintained during the hunting season often do not possess electricity or indoor plumbing, the majority of permanent residences in the area feature these amenities. Few roads or villages exist in these more remote areas, and undeveloped reaches of the region are a haven for wildlife, includingdeer,rabbits,beavers,turkeys,fishers,bobcats,coyote,and the occasionalblack bear.Salmon,trout,bass,walleye,andwaterfowlcan be found in the Tug Hill's abundant waterways.
Recreation
[edit]The Tug Hill region and its surrounding communities contains numerous attractions and recreational opportunities nestled in its many small villages and hamlets. These include antique shops, flea markets, handmade furniture, gifts and crafts, fishing and hunting guide services, miles of snowmobile trails, restaurants, lodging, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, boating, canoeing, both down-hill andcross-country skiing,puremaple syrupproducts, and roadside produce stands.
Climate
[edit]According to theKöppen climate classificationsystem, the Tug Hill Plateau has a Warm-summer,Humid continental climate(Dfb).Dfbclimates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), all months with an average mean temperature < 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably humid on the Tug Hill Plateau, episodes of warmth and moderate humidity can occur withheat indexvalues > 87 °F (31 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature at the Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area was 91.3 °F (32.9 °C) on 08/14/2002, and the highest daily average meandew pointwas 67.6 °F (19.8 °C) on 07/17/2015. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 4.35 inches (110 mm) on 12/28/1984. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature at the Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area is −29.5 °F (−34.2 °C).[13]Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −34.3 °F (−36.8 °C) on 01/04/1981. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur withwind chillvalues < −45 °F (−43 °C).
| Climate data for Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area, Elevation 1,923 ft (586 m), 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1981-2018 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 59.5 (15.3) |
62.9 (17.2) |
77.3 (25.2) |
84.8 (29.3) |
85.3 (29.6) |
88.6 (31.4) |
89.5 (31.9) |
91.3 (32.9) |
87.0 (30.6) |
77.1 (25.1) |
68.6 (20.3) |
61.8 (16.6) |
91.3 (32.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 24.7 (−4.1) |
28.1 (−2.2) |
36.8 (2.7) |
49.6 (9.8) |
62.6 (17.0) |
71.6 (22.0) |
75.9 (24.4) |
74.2 (23.4) |
65.3 (18.5) |
53.6 (12.0) |
40.4 (4.7) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
51.1 (10.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.6 (−9.7) |
17.9 (−7.8) |
27.2 (−2.7) |
39.5 (4.2) |
51.2 (10.7) |
60.3 (15.7) |
63.9 (17.7) |
62.3 (16.8) |
54.2 (12.3) |
44.1 (6.7) |
32.5 (0.3) |
20.9 (−6.2) |
40.8 (4.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 4.5 (−15.3) |
7.7 (−13.5) |
17.6 (−8.0) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
39.8 (4.3) |
48.9 (9.4) |
51.8 (11.0) |
50.5 (10.3) |
43.1 (6.2) |
34.7 (1.5) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
12.7 (−10.7) |
30.5 (−0.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −34.3 (−36.8) |
−30.2 (−34.6) |
−15.2 (−26.2) |
1.9 (−16.7) |
22.3 (−5.4) |
26.2 (−3.2) |
37.2 (2.9) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
15.9 (−8.9) |
−18.5 (−28.1) |
−29.0 (−33.9) |
−34.3 (−36.8) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 5.34 (136) |
4.17 (106) |
4.03 (102) |
4.15 (105) |
4.52 (115) |
4.13 (105) |
4.77 (121) |
4.98 (126) |
5.56 (141) |
6.08 (154) |
5.76 (146) |
5.93 (151) |
59.42 (1,509) |
| Averagerelative humidity(%) | 80.2 | 78.7 | 71.2 | 65.5 | 64.9 | 69.8 | 70.7 | 73.7 | 75.7 | 75.9 | 80.6 | 85.0 | 74.3 |
| Averagedew point°F (°C) | 9.6 (−12.4) |
12.4 (−10.9) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
39.8 (4.3) |
50.4 (10.2) |
54.2 (12.3) |
53.8 (12.1) |
46.7 (8.2) |
37.0 (2.8) |
27.2 (−2.7) |
17.1 (−8.3) |
33.1 (0.6) |
| Source: PRISM[14] | |||||||||||||
Winter weather
[edit]
The Tug Hill region is renowned for its bountiful snowfall. The region's topography and location in relation toLake Ontariooften creates ideal conditions forlake-effect snow;snowfall totals for the Tug Hill region average more than 200 inches (16.7 ft; 5.1 m) per winter.[5]Tug Hill snowfalls have been described as being among "the most intense storms in the world" in terms of the amount of snow falling during a short period of time.[16]Snow depths commonly reach five feet (1.5 m) or more, and deeper amounts are routine.
The Tug Hill town ofMontagueinLewis Countyrecorded the unofficial New York State 24-hour snowfall record of 77 inches (6.4 ft; 2.0 m) in January 1997.[5]Hooker(ahamletin the town of Montague) holds the state record for snowfall in a single season, after accumulating 466.9 inches (38.91 ft; 11.86 m) of snow during the winter of 1976–1977.[17]
On February 12, 2007, theNational Weather Servicereported on "tremendous" snowfall totals in the Tug Hill region that accumulated between February 3–12. During that ten-day period, the hamlet ofRedfieldreceived 141 inches (11.8 ft; 3.6 m) of snow, thevillage of Parishreceived 121 inches (10.1 ft; 3.1 m) of snow, and the hamlet ofNorth Osceolareceived 106 inches (8.8 ft; 2.7 m) of snow.[18]
One architectural feature related to the heavy snowfall can be found locally in some hunting camps: Supplemental, second-floor entry doors. These are located directly above the ground-level front door, and such apertures are used when so much snow has accumulated that the ground-level door cannot be accessed.[citation needed]
| Climate data for 12 NNW Hooker, NY (1981-2010 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 58.5 (149) |
54.9 (139) |
31.9 (81) |
12.3 (31) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
3.0 (7.6) |
19.5 (50) |
59.6 (151) |
240.3 (610) |
| Source: Golden Gate Weather Services[19] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Highmarket, NY (1981-2010 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 58.6 (149) |
40.9 (104) |
26.7 (68) |
7.4 (19) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.8 (7.1) |
19.3 (49) |
52.2 (133) |
208.1 (529) |
| Source: Golden Gate Weather Services[19] | |||||||||||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Amundsen et al. 2006,p. 56.
- ^abcde"Tug Hill Region".New York State Tug Hill Commission (Tughill.org).RetrievedJanuary 26,2015.
- ^ab"Article 37, § 847-b. Tug Hill commission; continuation".New York StateExecutive Law.Retrieved30 July2022.
- ^"Tug Hill".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
- ^abcSteve Virkler (December 1, 2013)."Tug Hill Plateau: Welcome to another winter in region known for heavy snow".Watertown Daily Times.RetrievedJanuary 27,2015.
- ^ab"Learn About Tug Hill in New York".The Nature Conservancy (Nature.org).RetrievedJanuary 25,2015.
- ^abcdefAmundsen, Ole III; Mintier, Sophie; Lathan, Joshua; Norton, Chelsey; Beaudette, Aaron; Svard, Julie; Marciniec, Heather; Duvall, Evan; Dillemuth, Ann; Semler, Conor; Bhakta, Jetal; Singh, Aatisha; Barcher, Camille; Daniels, Jessica (December 2006).Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust Strategic Land Conservation Plan.Cornell University. p. 6.Retrieved28 January2015.
- ^Indian tribes, cultures & languages: United States(Map). 1:7,500,00. National Atlas. Cartography by William C. Sturtevant. Reston, VA: Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 1991 [1967].LCCN95682185.RetrievedJanuary 31,2015.
- ^abHarper, Stephen Cook; Falk, Laura L.; Rankin, Edward W. (1990).The Northern Forest Lands Study of New England and New York: A Report to the Congress of the United States on the Recent Changes in Landownership and Land Use in the Northern Forest of Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 100–103.Retrieved31 January2015.
- ^NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (June 17, 2009).2009 New York State Open Space Conservation Plan & Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement.Albany, New York. p. 102.Retrieved28 January2015.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^Amundsen et al. 2006,p. 17.
- ^"U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)".RetrievedOctober 8,2019.
- ^ab"USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map".United States Department of Agriculture.RetrievedOctober 8,2019.
- ^"PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University".RetrievedOctober 8,2019.
- ^NOAA's National Weather Service."Average Seasonal Snowfall Over the Eastern Great Lakes Region".Erh.noaa.gov.Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 31,2015.
- ^Glenn Coin (January 14, 2014)."Tug Hill lake effect snow study: Six cool things we've learned so far".Syracuse.RetrievedMarch 13,2015.
- ^Burt, Christopher C.; Stroud, Mark (2007).Extreme weather: a guide and record book(Revised and updated ed.). New York: W.W. Norton. p.271.ISBN978-0393330151.Retrieved1 February2015.
- ^NOAA's National Weather Service (February 12, 2007)."Summary of Lake Effect Snow Event over the Tug Hill February 3-12, 2007".Erh.noaa.gov.RetrievedJanuary 31,2015.
- ^ab"Golden Gate Weather Services, Snowfall Monthly Normals (1981-2010)".RetrievedOctober 8,2019.
- McNamara, Robert, ed. 2008.Tug Hill: A Four Season Guide to the Natural Side,2nd ed. A joint publication withTug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust.Utica, NY: North Country Books.ISBN978-092516876-4
External links
[edit]- New York State Tug Hill Commission
- NYS Tug Hill Commission - Tug Hill Regional Map
- The Nature Conservancy - Tug Hill
- Welcome to the Tug Hill Region
- VisitTugHill - Tug Hill Recreation Locator Map
- Lewis County Area Snowmobile Association
