NYC reservoirs plan release into Delaware

[afishinado]

NYC reservoirs plan release into Delaware

By: FREDA R. SAVANA
Bucks County Courier Times
September 03, 2009 02:21 AM


Officials are preparing to close a water supply tunnel for repairs. Up to 50 billion gallons could be released over the course of the program.
Authorities are preparing for the release of billions of gallons of water into the Delaware River from three New York City reservoirs as they plan to close and repair a leaky aqueduct.
The temporary releases recommended by the U.S. Geological Survey's Delaware River Masters were agreed to Wednesday by officials from New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York City.
Under terms of the agreement, additional water to be released from Cannonsville, Pepacton and the Neversink reservoirs could be as high as 50 billion gallons over the course of the program, which is set to end May 31, 2010.
Timing for the releases will be based on the storage levels of the reservoirs, said Gary Paulachok, of the Delaware River Masters. National Weather Service forecasts and data from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will also guide when the releases occur. Release amounts are expected to be evaluated weekly.
Paulachok said the releases are needed as the agency prepares to shut down the Rondout, a 45-mile-long tunnel that transports water from New York City's Rondout Reservoir to its West Branch Reservoir in the Croton Watershed.
"The tunnel is in need of repairs in order to improve the reliability and long-term sustainability of the city's drinking water supply system. In order to perform critical, necessary work in preparation of the repairs, the tunnel will need to be shut down," according to the River Masters press statement.
News of the releases did not sit well with some who live along the Delaware River, who would like to see the reservoirs consistently maintained at lower levels to prevent spillage and flooding.
Gail Pedrick of New Hope, an advocate for reducing the reservoirs' capacity, called the releases "totally insufficient."
She said home and business owners, who have suffered through three devastating floods in recent years, remain in "imminent danger" of the Delaware flooding. If the releases are not timed properly, Pedrick said, they could worsen flooding.
The associate director of the Delaware Riverkeepers Network, Mary Ellen Noble, said her agency wants the tunnel repaired.
"We're very anxious to have the tunnel fixed," she said. The releases are "a perfectly logical move."

Link to source: PhillyBurbs.com: NYC reservoirs plan release into Delaware

 

[FishsEddie]

might be nice if this project goes a little longer than expected...

 

[tompg]

The dams have no impact on flooding in New Hope do they? I assume those folks won't be happy until the reservoirs are empty.

On the other hand, maybe it's time to float the Neversink all the way down and to the Big river and into the water gap. Might not get a chance to do that ever again.

 

[GARYB]

Don't understand how lowering Cannonsville and Pepacton helps the Roundout which
goes to the Croton system ? Makes no sense to me, am I wrong ??????????

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi,

Water from the Delaware System is diverted to Rondout via a series of tunnels. This is how Delaware water gets to NYC.

If the tunnel from rondout to the croton system is shut down, then no Delaware water can be diverted to NYC.

Since the reservoirs are high, the announced releases are supposed to replace water that would have been diverted, but is not going to be diverted to NYC. The diversions would have reduced reservoir levels and the proposed releases are supposed to mimic that.

The release will reduce the levels in the reservoirs and provide increased flows for the rivers.

Everytime we can increase releases and reduce wasteful and possibly dangerous spill, it can be a benefit to the rivers.

The timing of the releases is still important and these releases would have been extremely beneficial through the warmer summer months. FUDR had put forth a plan to do just that.

Jim

 

[Andy]

If this past August was any indication as to what the water levels might be until the end of May, 2010 I guess I'm going to be forced to buy a drift boat if I want to fish effectively. Wading will definately be a no-no. And then I wonder what the releases will be after June 1, 2010 when NYC wants to boost water storage to carry it through the summer months?

I apologize for being apprehensive; just random thoughts that came to mind. I've been fishing the river system for 39 years and have seen one set-back after another.

 

[porterskill]

when you live next to a river ,depending on elevation of your land,do not be surprised if you get flooded.it amazes me to see where some people buy homes next to rivers and then are surprised that they got flooded.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi Andy,

The very high releases in August were due to lots of rain. When the reservoirs go over 95% capacity the releases go way up. (1500 cfs on the West Branch)

It looks like the weahter is drying out and the reservoirs are dropping below 95%.

You can expect wadeable and floatable releases through Sept and Oct. WB release should be about 450 to 480.

Even though the reservoirs are quite full, most of the really cold water in the bottom is gone. Cannonsville has begun to release 50 degree water instead of the 44 degree water.

Floated from Balls Eddy down into the mainstem on Thursday. Not much action, but an amazing amount of bugs on the mainstem! Mostly flying ants, which the fish usually gobble. Always tough to figure out!!!

Jim

 

[Joe D]

The timing of the releases is still important and these releases would have been extremely beneficial through the warmer summer months. FUDR had put forth a plan to do just that.

Jim

http://fudr.org/annex/090422decree.pdf

 

[Ryan R]

The dams have no impact on flooding in New Hope do they? I assume those folks won't be happy until the reservoirs are empty.

No they really don't, but it's easy for these suburban nimrods to cling to that belief and put up stupid signs saying "Governor, stop the Delaware from flooding." Those dams are what some 200+ miles away, it takes some time before any water released from them gets downriver to New Hope. Try looking at all the tributaries between New Hope and the dams and then also the amount of development within those tributary watersheds. The extreme increases in runoff from the development explosion of the last 10-15 years combined with massive rainstorms within the watershed (such as 10+ inches of rain within the watershed for one of the recent major floods) is what causes the massive downriver flooding. If you buy or build a house within the flood plain of a major river, expect flooding. Just because the home and land looked tranquil at the time you bought it doen't mean the river is always that way.