The Cattaraugus Creek Basin is predominately rural, however, the main branch of the creek passes through the villages of Arcade, Gowanda, and Springville. The lower 16 miles of the creek also flows through the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. The main tributaries of the creek include Clear Creek at Arcade, Elton Creek, Buttermilk creek, Spring Brook, Spooner Creek, South Branch Cattaraugus Creek, and Clear Creek at Iroquois. The primary water resources need for which a solution was sought under this authority was to reduce flood damages within the Cattaraugus Creek Basin. In addition, for dam/reservoir plans that was developed, the addition of hydroelectric power generating facilities and recreation facilities were also considered to maximize the economic efficiency of the basic flood control plans. As possible solutions, nine preliminary alternatives, and 11 additional detailed alternatives, in addition to the No-Action option, were formulated and assessed. These alternatives fell into two broad categories: structural and nonstructural local protection plans in areas where a high concentration of flood damages exist (Sunset Bay area and Arcade); and dam/reservoir plans at Springville. However, either the plans considered were not economically justified (i.e., benefit-to-cost ratios were less than 1.0), or, the plans were not socially acceptable. Therefore, the Selected Plan is the No-Action (do-nothing) Plan. (FR).

The primary water resources need for which a solution is sought in this study, is to reduce flood damages within the Cattaraugus Creek basin. In addition, for the dam/reservoir plans that were developed, the addition of hydroelectric power generating facilities and recreation facilities were also considered to maximize the economic efficiency of the basic flood control plans. (Author).