Menantic Creek Keepers Conservancy & Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Back to the Bays –Menantic Creek Oyster Project

In early September Menantic Creek Keepers Conservancy kicked off our Oyster Project with Back to the Bays by spreading oyster shells in the Creek to serve as a substrate for oyster larvae from current oysters in the Creek, allowing them to settle and grow. Thanks to everyone who contributed and helped with this important project!. Next Spring or early Summer, we will sponsor another oyster bed install with Back to the Bays. This work is all possible because of all of you who joined us this summer and who care so much about improving the health of Menantic Creek. We met our goal of raising $10,000 with great thanks to our generous donor’s matching challenge and all of you who contributed. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with Back to the Bays (CCE). Many thanks to Kate Rossi-Snook for all of her hard work!

Please visit the Menantic Creek page on the Back to the Bays website for further information on Back to the Bays’ Shelter Island and specifically, Menantic Creek initiatives.  https://backtothebays.org/menantic 

Menantic Creek Water Quality Monitoring

This summer marked our third year of water quality monitoring in the Creek. With your financial support and the support of the Water Quality Improvement Advisory Board and Shelter Island’s Town Board we have three established monitoring systems in place.

Our dedicated team of monitoring volunteers download data and clean fouled monitors on a weekly basis June 1st through November 30th each year. Check our Tracking Data page as reports are updated periodically.  

Please Participate in the Shelter Island Saltwater Intrusion Testing Project

Shelter Island Water Advisory Committee & Shelter Island School Drinking Water Test is currently being conducted. Pick up testing information and supplies at the Town Hall and drop samples off at the Shelter Island School. For further information see https://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/2025/09/22/a-partnership-to-serve-shelter-islanders-water-committee-and-school-to-test-drinking-water/.

Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP) - Stony Brook Studies

Over the past two years, Stony Brook has studied oyster growth, seaweed, eel grass and kelp across various locations in the Peconic Bay and Menantic Creek. Oysters have done well but seaweed, eel grass and kelp have been unsuccessful in the Creek.  

Menantic Creek and West Neck Harbor Dredging

Suffolk County completed dredging in West Neck Harbor, Dickerson and Menantic Creeks this past winter (2024-2025). The dredging into the entrance to Menantic Creek extended just past the Island Boatyard to the Tarkettle Road Town Landing, but no further into the creek. We are hopeful that we will see some improvement to Creek water quality with increased tidal flow. Our 2025 data and observations will be compared to previous years at the conclusion of this year’s monitoring.

Shelter Island Water Quality

Shelter Island Water Advisory Committee (WAC) meets once a month and continues to schedule information sessions to discuss water quality challenges. https://www.shelterislandtown.gov/

Thank you for your continued support of water quality initiatives in Menantic Creek.