FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE03-43
August
13, 2003
Contact:
Charles G. Sturcken
(718) 595-6600
DEP
Announces Bottom Release Program for Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs
Trout
Fishing to Benefit From Cooler Water Temperatures in Local Streams
Commissioner Christopher O. Ward today announced that with the very wet
summer weather and high runoff patterns in the upstate watershed, storage
levels in the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs are unusually high,
and without action both reservoirs are likely to spill large quantities
of warm surface water. As a result, DEP has commenced a Bottom Release
Program from the Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs. The program is
designed to release cold bottom water from the reservoir dams that exceed
normal conservation release requirements prior to reservoir spillage and
to minimize the quantity of warm water that does spill.
Commissioner Ward said today, “We took this action before the
reservoirs, which were nearing overflow capacity, began to spill and discharge
warmer reservoir surface waters downstream. The first releases took place
on August 8 from Cannonsville Reservoir and on August 11 from the Pepacton
Reservoir. By reducing the amount of warm surface water that spills from
the reservoirs, additional protection is provided for downstream cold
water fisheries. Since the program began, 1.6 billion gallons of cold
water above normal conservation release requirements have been made.”
The Bottom Release Program was announced by Commissioner Ward on August
12 at the “Day on the Delaware” event, sponsored by the Delaware
River Foundation. Officials of both the Delaware River Foundation and
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) praised
this action, which extends benefits to trout fishermen downstream of the
Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs.
This Bottom Release Program was developed by the City in consultation
with the Delaware River Master’s office, the Delaware River Basin
Commission, the New York State DEC, and the States of Delaware, Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, all of whom are affected by releases from the upstate
Delaware water supply system. The program is scheduled to end on September
30, 2003.