LowerEsopus.org developed from the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership, a multi-year effort among local governments and affiliate organizations to address flooding, reservoir releases, and other issues impacting the watershed in Ulster County in Upstate New York.

The Flood of April 2-3, 2005 motivated communities along the Lower Esopus Creek to organize together around shared concerns. In 2007, the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership was founded as an inter-municipal coalition, including Town of Saugerties, Town of Ulster, Town of Hurley, Town of Marbletown, Town of Olive, City of Kingston, and the Village of Saugerties. After voters adopted a new county charter in 2006 and changed to an elected executive branch starting in 2008, Ulster County assumed greater leadership role for the Lower Esopus watershed.

LowerEsopus.org is currently maintained through an unfunded, volunteer effort. The purpose is to foster appreciation and stewardship of the Lower Esopus Watershed. Topics include:

• water quality and stream function
• floodplain management
• ecosystem health and diversity
• compatible agricultural, cultural, economic, municipal, and recreational activities