Editorial

Lower water in river reservoirs July 30, 2009

Reservoir levels along the Delaware River are unacceptably high these days. There's no good reason for them to stay that way. And there's every good reason to lower the water levels a bit. In fact, the Delaware River Basin Commission has stated it would maintain seasonal voids in the reservoirs, responding to the concerns of downstream residents after three highly destructive floods. What happened?

Don't be fooled by the relatively high level of local streams, filled by frequent rains. The mainstem of the Delaware is low. The stream gauge at Barryville, N.Y., just north of Lackawaxen, indicates that the Delaware is at about 3 feet now. That's shallow, reflecting minimal releases from upstream reservoirs.

This spring and summer have been relatively cool and rainy. There's no drought, thus no need to hold all that water in reserve. Yet the Neversink reservoir is at 94.5 percent capacity, the Pepacton at 96.2 percent, Cannonsville at 99.1 percent and Roundout at 97.4 percent, an average of 97 percent capacity. That's 33 billion gallons more than what was stored at this time last year, and 24.5 billion gallons above the longtime average.

Are reservoir managers simply ignoring the pleas of downstream neighbors concerned about possible flooding? It's hurricane season, a time when a tropical storm-related downpour could all too quickly bring those impoundments to overflow levels. Adding the reservoirs' overflow to the already high water levels in local streams could spell disaster downstream.

The end of July and beginning of August are the peak of the Poconos' summer tourist season and a time when a higher water level in the river would enhance rapids and the boating experience on the river. With water at 3 feet, the Delaware is so shallow that canoeists and other recreational boaters often end up walking rather than floating down the river. Dragging a canoe is not fun. Yet the water sits in reservoirs.

The DRBC should put some of that impounded water to good use now. Release it slowly, lowering the reservoir levels as a partial safeguard against major downpours and increasing the flow of the Delaware River for recreational purposes.

The tourism industry will benefit. And maybe, just maybe, a move to lower reservoir levels today will lessen the destruction should a flood occur anytime soon.

Reader Reaction

Cabin

Member since: 03/23/2007

Total posts: 1720

On July 30, 2009 at 11:39 AM , Cabin said:

It is interesting that to date all these 'flood control' measures only seem to make matters worse. Of course paving over most of the watershed does not help any.0% discharge in ALL land development projects past and future!!!!!!!!!! Full Message