Many anglers oppose Delaware flow accord

Outdoors: Many anglers oppose Delaware flow accord

Dave Henderson
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It was pointed out in this space early last month that not everyone was happy with the long-awaited accord between New York City and the Delaware River basin on flow levels.

I noted at the time that local trout anglers and environmentalists were ecstatic with the agreement, which seemingly ended 30 years of pleas and arguments over releases from the Catskill reservoirs and the subsequent flow of the various branches of the Delaware River. Turns out not all anglers were "ecstatic."

It was also pointed out that downstream river residents were not happy with the agreement, or about being apparently left out of the decision making process.

Flows are supposedly being regulated now under the proposed guidelines, with ratification -- probably with great modification -- expected in May.

In the wake of the column, I've heard from dozens of anglers, many from Pennsylvania, who said that I didn't accurately represent all anglers' opinions on the subject. Many see the accord as definitely inadequate.

One of the most articulate is Lee Hartman, who is a district Trout Unlimited representative from Pennsylvania and inveterate Delaware angler.

"The river is at level 2 for 90 percent of the summer," Hartman noted. "And 360 cfs (release rate for level 2) is not sufficient to maintain the lower West Branch or the Main Stem (of the Delaware)."

Environmentalists say that by making regular releases the city will be restoring some of the Delaware's natural rhythms and flows. But Hartman and the other anglers who complained to me were adamant that the "natural" flow rates allocated by the agreement -- releasing up to a total of 35 million gallons a day from three of its largest reservoirs into the Delaware -- were not enough to protect the river's trout in hot weather.

And the anglers all vowed that they will be heard before the agreement is ratified next spring. You can bet that they will be.