In the 1970s & 80s, Conservation Districts along with SCS (now NRCS) and County Agents focused attention on watershed health. The Sugar River Watershed Project was approved in 1972 and included many towns in Sullivan County as well as some in Merrimack County. The project consisted of creating ponds for flood protection, wildlife wetland development, and recreation. It also included timber land improvement, waterways, and conservation cropping on ag lands.
In October of 1984, Gunnison Pond in Goshen, locally known as the “Goshen Ocean” was dedicated as part of this project. The lake was named after John Williams Gunnison, a scout during the 1800’s, who originally owned the land surrounding the lake. The land around the lake, Williamson Memorial Park, was named in honor of Mr. Stanley Williamson, who was a longtime supporter of the Sugar River Watershed as well as a state legislator.
March 26 – Goshen Ocean, Sullivan County