In the early 1930s, New York State bought 340,000 acres of abandoned farmland for trees. 26 years later, the new forests had significantly reduced runoff, with their effect stable through 1967

New York's reforestation program transformed abandoned farmland into dense woodlands. This initiative significantly reduced streamflow and peak discharges in studied areas. The forest's influence reached a stable maximum by 1958. This reforestation was part of a larger recovery of New York's forest lands.