Climate

Climate in the Oneonta area is generally continental in character. During the summer, daytime temperatures can reach a maximum of 90 degrees. Mean temperatures in July are between 70 and 75 degrees. Winters are generally cold, the mean January temperature being 18 to 25 degrees.

Mean temperature for the growing season is between 60 and 62 degrees. The last killing frosts generally end in early May and the first frost generally appears in early October, giving the city an average growing season of 160 days. Mean precipitation for the season is between 18 and 21 inches.

Mean annual precipitation for the City is between 35 and 40 inches. Snowfall ranges from 55 to 60 inches annually. The amount of rainfall received by the City is generally adequate for industrial and domestic functions.

Wind velocities in the Oneonta area are moderate. The City receives a southerly prevailing wind from May through November, northerly in January, and westerly during the remainder. 

Topography

The City of Oneonta lies in the Appalachian Uplands Province, the major physiographic province in southern New York. The topography varies from essentially flat in the Susquehanna River Valley to rolling, steep hills in the adjacent highlands. Elevations range from a low of about 1,060 feet mean sea level, in the southwest corner of the City, to more than 1,730 feet mean sea level on the hill above SUNY Oneonta.

Floodplains

Floodplains extend a distance of approximately 14,000 feet downstream from Neahwa Park. As a result, Neahwa Park and surrounding residential neighborhoods have been subject to flooding in the past. The construction of Interstate Highway 88 (I-88) has alleviated some flooding in previously prone areas by providing an artificial levee effect while exacerbating others, such as, flooding in Neahwa Park and the Sixth Ward. Construction of a levee with a removable flood wall for Neahwa Place and placement of rip-rap along the western end of Neahwa Park has aided in alleviating this problem.

The City recognizes the need to monitor construction activities within the designated floodplain. There are oversight mechanisms in place and are codified in the City of Oneonta Municipal Code in order to monitor construction activities in the floodplain. These oversight mechanisms ensure the safety of persons living in the floodplain and preserves the structural integrity of buildings in the floodplain. The City of Oneonta's regulatory parameters are identified in Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code.

Chapter 34: Flood Damage Prevention:
In passing Chapter 34, the Common Council recognized the potential and/or actual damages from flooding and erosion could be a problem to the residents of the City. The purpose of Chapter 34 is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas.

Specifically, Chapter 34 makes provision for the designation of a local administrator to implement said chapter. The Chapter identifies an application process for construction in the floodplain. The applicant must submit technical and other information which describes the proposed project. Chapter 34 also identifies construction parameters for both residential and non-residential construction.

Streams

Many communities learn about their streams the hard way -- after it is polluted or depleted or poses a threat from flooding. These communities measure the value of their water resources by the amount of money necessary to restore the stream's vitality. However, there are other ways by which to recognize the value of streams and creeks. Streams affect the quantity and quality of a community's water resources, as well as contribute to the overall environmental health of a community.

A number of protected streams exist within the City of Oneonta. These streams are protected as per 6 NYCRR Parts 608 and 701. Part 608 identifies permitting procedures for stream disturbance. Part 701 identifies and defines the State of New York's Stream Classification System.

The City of Oneonta amended Chapter 72 of the Municipal Code entitled, "Garbage, Trash and Weeds" to include a new section 72.4 entitled, "No Dumping of Trash or Garbage in Rivers, Creeks and Ditches." The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the rivers and streams which regularly or periodically carry surface water runoff. Any violation of Section 72.4 is a second degree misdemeanor and punishable per the provisions of State Statutes 775.082 and 775.083.

Wetlands

Wetlands have a set of common natural functions that make them valuable resources for society. The resource values of wetlands include the protection of water quality, influencing water quality (e.g., retainage of water during dry periods, etc.), and preserving environmental health and diversity.

The City of Oneonta contains both federal and state protected wetlands. State classified wetlands are protected under 6 NYCRR Parts 663 and 664. Part 663 is entitled, "Freshwater Wetlands Permit Requirements Regulations." Part 664 is entitled, "Freshwater Wetlands Maps and Classification Regulations." The responsible regulatory authority is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Federal wetlands ae protected under Section 404 of the Clean Waters Act. The responsible regulatory authority is the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The most significant and commonly issued permit is Nationwide Permit Number 26.

State protected wetlands within the City are located primarily in the southern end of the City and total approximately 100 acres. These include ON-10 (located between Lower Oneida Street and the River Street Access Road), ON-7 (former site of the Oneonta Roundhouse and located south of Chestnut Street), ON-9 (between Chestnut Street and the Canadian Pacific rail yard), and parts of ON-6 (between I-88 and New York State Route 23, in the southeast corner of the City).

The most notable federal wetland within the City of Oneonta is Hodges Pond located in Neahwa Park.