Delaware Riverside Conservancy

06/10/2022

Dear DRC Members and friends,

We received the following notification from NYCDEP regarding the closing of the Delaware Aqueduct (tunnel) and the following article on the subject. We will notify you of any updates.

Sincerely,
Gail Pedrick
President
Delaware Riverside Conservancy
Box 1
Stewartsville, NJ 08865

For several reasons NYCDEP is not in a position to shutdown the Delaware Aqueduct this fall. The schedule is now planned for October 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. This new timeline will ensure that NYCDEP completes and tests new system configurations and that outside communities are also prepared for the shutdown. There will be more to come on communications and work that we are doing as part of this shift.

https://www.therecord.com/ts/news/world/2022/06/09/monthslong-closure-of-major-nyc-aqueduct-delayed-a-year.html





Monthslong closure of major NYC aqueduct delayed a year

MH

By Michael HillThe Associated Press



A long-planned temporary shutdown of a leaking aqueduct that supplies about half of New York City’s drinking water will be pushed back a year, giving officials more time to prepare for the monthslong closure.

The city has spent nine years working on a $1 billion bypass tunnel far beneath the Hudson River at Newburgh — about 45 miles north of New York City — to replace a profusely leaking section of the Delaware Aqueduct. Connecting the bypass tunnel will require shutting down the aqueduct for five to eight months, increasing reliance on other water sources.

The shutdown had been planned for this fall.

But the city’s Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday it wants more time to make sure its system can reliably deliver sufficient water from other sources. It also wants to provide extra time for several water supply projects in upstate New York, where many communities depend on the city system.

“We want to make sure that everything is spot on, ready to go,” said Paul Rush, deputy commissioner for the city’s Department of Environmental Protection.

The 85-mile (137-kilometer ) aqueduct is crucial part of a sprawling water supply system comprising 19 reservoirs, three lakes and connecting tunnels that is sometimes called an engineering feat as impressive as the aqueducts of ancient Rome.

Built mostly during World War II, the Delaware Aqueduct carries about 600 million gallons a day, entirely by gravity, from four Catskill Mountain region reservoirs to a holding reservoir north of the city.

The environmental department has been working for years to make sure the aqueduct’s shutdown would not be noticed by customers turning on their faucets. The city intends to rely more heavily on water from the complementary Catskill Aqueduct and from reservoirs in suburban Westchester County. The city also has significantly reduced its water usage through conservation efforts.



Rush said the extra time will give the city time to test two pumping stations north of the city. Also, the Croton Filtration Plant in the Bronx is being connected to a third city water supply tunnel, and engineers want times to test the performance new configuration.

The extra year will ensure that local water infrastructure projects related to the shutdown can be completed in the Town of Newburgh, Wawarsing and Bedford Falls.

The agency wants to start the shutdown in the fall, after the peak demand months of summer have passed.

A long-planned temporary shutdown of a leaking aqueduct that supplies about half of New York City’s drinking water will be pushed back a year, giving ...

04/02/2022

Reply from NYC DEP Paul Rush:

DRC Members:

I have sent you all two replies below that also may answer any questions you may have. I also am giving people some info on the reservoirs all of you may not know:

There are three NY City Delaware Reservoirs located in NY near the Delaware River. When they release water from the bottom or overflow from the top spillways, the water goes into the Delaware River. When they all were overfilled in the 2006 Flood, 95 billion gallons of water emptied into the Delaware River, the equivalent of water running into the Delaware River for 37 hours from Niagara Falls. The Reservoirs are the Pepacton 140.2 Billion gals. 100.4 % full today. Cannonsville 95.7 gals. 99.4% full today. Neversink 34.9 Billion Gals. 99.4 % full today.

Gail Pedrick
DRC President
Date: 03/31/2022 1:26 PM

Subject: NY City DEP Paul Rush replies to my questions on Delaware Closing of Tunnel
Thank you Gail,
Could you give us Mr. Rush’s replies to your questions?
cheers,
Robert

Thank you for your question Robert, in regard to my first question, he said they would be doing all the releases as needed to get the reservoirs levels down before closing. Which is the answer I expected. I asked the question to show our concern about them trying to get the level of reservoirs down before the closing, although he did not give an answer about what they would do if they were not down, I received the impression that not going forward with the closing until Reservoirs were down, would be what they would do.
The second question had to do with the level they were going to have the reservoirs at when they closed the tunnel. This is the battle and always has been. We always want them lower then they do, the levels have not been final, we are now putting in our thoughts for the safety of all who live along the river. The third was our suggestion for the calculations, which would be a lower drawdown level if they took our suggestion. Basically we wanted them to know we are here, watching what they are doing, are concerned with their plan and making our suggestions for the safety level of the reservoirs of all who live along the river, that in the closing of the tunnel we would not flood because they lowered the reservoirs enough when tunnel closed for 8 months. People are doing the calculations and will inform all what we feel the drawdown should be. We would then forward to Paul Rush.
Gail

Gail,
Thank you as always for your taking the lead on this problem, and for so well articulating the issues and solutions in your conversation with Paul Rush. I assume that he at least listened to you and to your compelling arguments.
Best regards,
Roger

He did Roger, and thank you for the compliment, my background is a coach in three major sports and I do not like to loose, so I try to put in another game plan, our battle over the years has been to get NY, NJ,PA, DE and NY City DEP's to lower the NY City Delaware Reservoirs and not over fill them. The other side denies that overfilled reservoirs causes flooding, and always tries to keep them filled MUCH higher then needed. The person who has been involved the longest as DEP is Paul Rush NY City DEP. He is the most knowledgeable on the issues, and is the reason I had the phone conversation discussing our 3 main concerns regarding the closing of the Delaware Aqueduct (tunnel) that takes the 523 million gals of water to New York every day. The other state DEP's change often.
All of you along the river need to educate your neighbors, town fathers etc. to check out the levels of the reservoirs (Google NY City Delaware Reservoirs Levels) and contact Paul Rush to lower if too high. Let him know your concerns too, your flood experiences etc.
I will forward a copy of the new and revised FFMP so you can check on what the levels should be and if they have let them get higher then they are supposed to be, if so then send an e-mail to NYC DEP Paul Rush [email protected]
There are many who live along the river now who think our flooding problem is solved because we have not flooded since 2006 and they are complacent. We have a big battle ahead of us to get the levels down before the closing of the tunnel for repair in Oct. We all have to be on our knees with our sleaves rolled up and educate and activate as many as we can, before October closing.

On Mar 30, 2022, at 9:53 PM, DRC wrote:
Dear DRC Members,

I just finished up a phone conversation with NYCDEP Paul Rush, with our concerns below in regard to the closing of the Tunnel/Delaware Aqueduct in October of 2022 which could strongly affect all those who live along the Delaware River in NY, PA ,NJ, and DE

(Background)This tunnel takes 523 million gals of water per day from the NY City Delaware Reservoirs to NY City for drinking water. This tunnel (Aqueduct) will close for repair in October for 8 months!!! THAT MEANS THE 523 MILLION GALS WILL STAY In the Delaware Reservoirs!!! The same reservoirs that spilled over in the Delaware River floods of 04,05, & 06 because they were too full when heavy rains came.

Questions on October Shut Down of Delaware Aqueduct (tunnel) I asked NYC DEP

When the Delaware Aqueduct shut down date comes in October of 2022, what are your plans if NY City Delaware Reservoirs have not been lowered to the desired levels for the shut down? Please do not proceed with the closing of the Aqueduct until the desired level is reached.
I did not have confidence in the original shut down figure of 30 %, I have heard that 15% is being considered? What is the drawdown level (lowering) for the NYC Delaware Reservoirs going to be?
I understand that you are using an average of all the rainfalls over the years when you are going to consider the drawdown levels for the shut down of the Delaware Aqueduct. Last year we experienced an 11 inch record rainfall, and with the high rainfall events happening due to climate change, I strongly recommend that you select the highest rainfall and snow melt year to determine the draw down levels, for the closing of the Delaware Aqueduct Tunnel.

Thank you for your consideration of the above strong concerns in closing down the Delaware Aqueduct in October 2022.

Sincerely,
Gail Pedrick
New Hope
President
Delaware Riverside Conservancy
Box 1, Stewartsville, NJ 08886
https://www.facebook.com/DelawareRiversideConservancy

04/02/2022

DRC Members:

I have sent you all two replies below that also may answer any questions you may have. I also am giving people some info on the reservoirs all of you may not know:

There are three NY City Delaware Reservoirs located in NY near the Delaware River. When they release water from the bottom or overflow from the top spillways, the water goes into the Delaware River. When they all were overfilled in the 2006 Flood, 95 billion gallons of water emptied into the Delaware River, the equivalent of water running into the Delaware River for 37 hours from Niagara Falls. The Reservoirs are the Pepacton 140.2 Billion gals. 100.4 % full today. Cannonsville 95.7 gals. 99.4% full today. Neversink 34.9 Billion Gals. 99.4 % full today.

Gail Pedrick
DRC President
Date: 03/31/2022 1:26 PM

Subject: NY City DEP Paul Rush replies to my questions on Delaware Closing of Tunnel
Thank you Gail,
Could you give us Mr. Rush’s replies to your questions?
cheers,
Robert

Thank you for your question Robert, in regard to my first question, he said they would be doing all the releases as needed to get the reservoirs levels down before closing. Which is the answer I expected. I asked the question to show our concern about them trying to get the level of reservoirs down before the closing, although he did not give an answer about what they would do if they were not down, I received the impression that not going forward with the closing until Reservoirs were down, would be what they would do.
The second question had to do with the level they were going to have the reservoirs at when they closed the tunnel. This is the battle and always has been. We always want them lower then they do, the levels have not been final, we are now putting in our thoughts for the safety of all who live along the river. The third was our suggestion for the calculations, which would be a lower drawdown level if they took our suggestion. Basically we wanted them to know we are here, watching what they are doing, are concerned with their plan and making our suggestions for the safety level of the reservoirs of all who live along the river, that in the closing of the tunnel we would not flood because they lowered the reservoirs enough when tunnel closed for 8 months. People are doing the calculations and will inform all what we feel the drawdown should be. We would then forward to Paul Rush.
Gail

Gail,
Thank you as always for your taking the lead on this problem, and for so well articulating the issues and solutions in your conversation with Paul Rush. I assume that he at least listened to you and to your compelling arguments.
Best regards,
Roger

He did Roger, and thank you for the compliment, my background is a coach in three major sports and I do not like to loose, so I try to put in another game plan, our battle over the years has been to get NY, NJ,PA, DE and NY City DEP's to lower the NY City Delaware Reservoirs and not over fill them. The other side denies that overfilled reservoirs causes flooding, and always tries to keep them filled MUCH higher then needed. The person who has been involved the longest as DEP is Paul Rush NY City DEP. He is the most knowledgeable on the issues, and is the reason I had the phone conversation discussing our 3 main concerns regarding the closing of the Delaware Aqueduct (tunnel) that takes the 523 million gals of water to New York every day. The other state DEP's change often.
All of you along the river need to educate your neighbors, town fathers etc. to check out the levels of the reservoirs (Google NY City Delaware Reservoirs Levels) and contact Paul Rush to lower if too high. Let him know your concerns too, your flood experiences etc.
I will forward a copy of the new and revised FFMP so you can check on what the levels should be and if they have let them get higher then they are supposed to be, if so then send an e-mail to NYC DEP Paul Rush [email protected]
There are many who live along the river now who think our flooding problem is solved because we have not flooded since 2006 and they are complacent. We have a big battle ahead of us to get the levels down before the closing of the tunnel for repair in Oct. We all have to be on our knees with our sleaves rolled up and educate and activate as many as we can, before October closing.

A non-profit Organization for people who live, work or play on or near the Delaware River or just care about it.

03/29/2022

Dear
DRC Members,
I just finished up a phone conversation with NYCDEP Paul Rush, with our concerns below in regard to the closing of the Tunnel/Delaware Aqueduct in October of 2022

Questions on Shut Down of Delaware Aqueduct

1.When the Delaware Aqueduct shut down date comes in October of 2022, what are your plans if NY City Delaware Reservoirs have not been lowered to the desired levels for the shut down? Please do not proceed with the closing of the Aqueduct until the desired level is reached.

2. I did not have confidence in the original shut down figure of 30 %, I have heard that 15% is being considered? What is the drawdown level for the NYC Delaware Reservoirs going to be ?

3. I understand that you are using an average of all the rainfalls over the years when you are going to consider the drawdown levels for the shut down of the Delaware Aqueduct. Last year we experienced an 11 inch record rainfall, and with the high rainfall events happening due to climate change, I strongly recommend that you select the highest rainfall and snow melt year to determine the draw down levels, for the closing of the Delaware Aqueduct Tunnel.

Thank you for your consideration of the above strong concerns in closing down the Delaware Aqueduct in October 2022.

Sincerely,
Gail Pedrick
President
Delaware Riverside Conservancy
Box 1, Stewartsville, NJ 08886

10/19/2021

To Avoid Catastrophic Delaware River Flooding Towns Must Meet with NYCDEP
On October 1, 2022, the New York Department Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) will close the Delaware River Aqueduct (tunnel) for repairs for 6-8 months. They will cease to divert 523 million gallons of water per day from the Delaware River to New York City, The water will stay in the three NYC Delaware River Reservoirs. Neversink holds 34 billion gallons, Cannonsville 95 bg and Pepacton 140 bg. This is an unprecedented event that has never occurred in the history of the Aqueduct (tunnel) system.

* Towns, Cities, and Townships must hold meetings with the NYCDEP before (asap) the closing of the Aqueduct (tunnel) system .

* During these meetings NY City must make public the intended drawdown capacities of each reservoir prior to the closure, the expected changes in water releases (see below) to compensate for zero diversions and the criteria for postponing the shutdown due to wet hydrological conditions. especially with the 11 inch rainfalls we have experienced recently)

* If the correct measures are not in place prior to the shutdown the Delaware River Basin could experience many months of spilling reservoirs and much greater possibility for catastrophic flooding.

Background Information:

Flexible Flow Management Plan

After the three catastrophic and devastating floods in 2004, 2005 and 2006, flood mitigation came to the fore front and needed to be addressed because it was not something that was built into earlier programs. These floods affected the 5.2 million people living and working in the Delaware River Basin costing over $226 million in FEMA insured claims and the loss of nine lives.

The establishment of the Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) in 2007 by the decree parties began an important step toward the development of such a flood mitigation plan, but did not include year round voids in the reservoirs to prevent spilling reservoirs during heavy rain events.

The results of the Flood Analysis Model released in 2009 and paid for by the four states of PA, NJ, DE, and NY as well as the federal government ($750,000) is the scientific evidence and proof that if pre-storm voids exist, flood crests will be lower as much as 3-6 ft in some places. On October 21, 2017 New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the City of New York (Decree Parties) unanimously approved a ten-year, two-part Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP2017) intended to meet water supply demands, protect fisheries habitat downstream of the New York City (NYC) Delaware Basin reservoirs, and enhance flood mitigation.

However using the FFMP to control the release rates during this shutdown will not work. A special shutdown release program must be spelled out by the NYCDEP to create and maintain the required drawdowns and to control reservoir levels to maintain voids throughout the project.

We are advocating that siphons are installed as a means of releasing additional water from the reservoirs. The only means of releasing water from the reservoirs now is by release values at the bottom which are too small. It takes weeks to lower, even 5%! With very heavy rainfall now we must have sizeable voids before the tunnel closes for 6-8 month repair!

For all those who are reading this letter: Please contact your City, Boro, or Township officials and request they contact NYC DEP Director Paul Rush [email protected] to set up meeting, well before October 1, 2022 closure to discuss intended drawdown capacities (levels of each reservoir) prior to the closure, and the expected changes in water releases. It is also important to have your e-mail so we can get important info to you and for you to also urge NYCDEP to lower reservoirs, when they are overfilling. Many e-mails may bring faster results! Please do not worry that we will sell list. All of us are volunteers and also get too many e-mails daily!

We will be holding an DRC executive board meeting in New Hope PA, if you wish to attend please e-mail me for more information...
PS. Due to the urgency to pass this letter out to all living along Delaware ASAP, we will be paying those to help 25 per hour. Please e-mail me for information. [email protected]

Gail Pedrick New Hope, PA 18938
President Delaware Riverside Conservancy Box 1 Stewartsville N.J. 08886

09/01/2021

Frim Kate Schmidt DRBC

apologies for cross-posting; this was sent to several of our listservs)

Good Afternoon,

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting flooding in the Delaware River Basin from the remnants of Ida. While the DRBC does not issue flood forecasts, advisories or flood warnings, we wanted to share the following information.

This info is on our website at https://www.nj.gov/drbc/home/spotlight/approved/20210901_Ida_DRBflooding.html; we will update and share information at that link and through this email notification list, as well as on Twitter (), as needed.

Current Situation (September 1, 2021)
The remnants of Ida have arrived in the Delaware River Basin. As with any high intensity rainfall event, flash flooding in tributaries, small streams and flood-prone, low-lying and/or urban areas is anticipated.
There is the potential for MAJOR and MODERATE flooding at many DRB flood forecast locations as the result of precipitation from Ida.
While Ida’s rains are expected today into Thursday morning, flooding impacts can and are predicted to occur into Friday and possibly the weekend.
Flood forecasts are from the NWS. Visit https://www.weather.gov/marfc to view more detailed information. These forecasts are current as of this morning and are anticipated to be updated every 6-12 hours.
The most likely areas of flooding include the mainstem Delaware River, tributaries in SE PA and SW NJ, Schuylkill River, Lehigh Basin, Broadhead, Bushkill, Lackawaxen, Neversink River and the Beaver Kill.
Details:
Schuylkill River: MAJOR FLOODING from Norristown to Philadelphia and below Fairmount Dam. MINOR FLOODING near and upstream of Reading, PA.
Mainstem Delaware River: MODERATE FLOODING is predicted at Easton, Riegelsville, Frenchtown, Stockton, New Hope – Lambertville. MINOR FLOODING is predicted for Washington Crossing and Trenton. Action Stage is predicted at Belvidere and Tock’s Island.
Lower Basin Tributaries: MAJOR FLOODING on the Brandywine and Christina Rivers and the Neshaminy, Perkiomen and Assunpink Creeks.
Lehigh River: Locations along the main stem Lehigh River are forecast to reach MINOR FLOOD stage.
Bush Kill & Brodhead Creeks: Bush Kill at Shoemakers is expected to reach MODERATE FLOOD stage. MINOR FLOODING expected along the Brodhead.
Upper Basin: MINOR FLOODING has been forecast along the Lackawaxen River. The Neversink River at Godeffroy, Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls, and West Branch Delaware at Walton are expected to reach Action Stage. High river rises are anticipated elsewhere.
Please Note:
The information provided herein was developed by the National Weather Service and Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
All forecasts are subject to change, including storm track, precipitation amounts, predicted stage and crest timing.
We recommend everyone keep a close eye on real-time information from the NWS, NOAA weather radio, local TV, radio, apps – however you get your weather info.
Please be on alert for rising water levels and follow instructions of state, county or local emergency management, first responders, or law enforcement personnel. The DRBC does not issue flood evacuations.
Please do not travel on flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown!
Useful Links:
NWS Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center: https://www.weather.gov/marfc
NWS Mt. Holly: https://www.weather.gov/phi
NWS Binghamton: https://www.weather.gov/bgm
NJ Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM): http://www.ready.nj.gov/
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA): https://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA): https://dema.delaware.gov/
NWS Flood Stage Definitions: https://www.weather.gov/aprfc/terminology
DRBC Flood Portal: https://www.nj.gov/drbc/programs/flood/portal-flood.html
Flood forecast locations from the Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasted rainfall from the Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center.

Please stay safe!

Thank you and best regards,
Kate
____________________
Kate Schmidt
Communications Specialist
Delaware River Basin Commission
P.O. Box 7360
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360
P: (609) 883-9500 x205 *currently working remotely; email is best contact
F: (609) 883-9522
[email protected]
www.drbc.gov

Managing, Protecting & Improving the
Basin’s Water Resources since 1961

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03/22/2019

When you're craving something fresh-tasting and satisfying, fill your plate up with our Italian Spring Fling Pasta. This angel hair pasta dish features some great springtime flavors. One whiff of this is all it'll take to get your family to the dinner table.

10/24/2018

Tom caught a baby one of these today!

Found on Google from mission-blue.org

04/23/2018

DRC update Delaware River

Meanwhile, as you know, there is strength in numbers, we have many new people that have moved in along the Delaware. If you could please have your new friends and neighbors, request to be on our e-mail list, we can send them updates, etc. on the NYC Delaware Reservoirs etc.

03/02/2018

Maximum releases from New York Delaware River Reservoirs have been in effect. You can use this link to check on Delaware River Level predictions.

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)

01/26/2018

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA, INCLUDING
THE FOLLOWING AREAS, IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, WARREN. IN
PENNSYLVANIA, MONROE AND NORTHAMPTON.

* THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON

* FLOODING FROM ICE JAMS IS POSSIBLE NEAR AND ALONG THE DELAWARE
RIVER BELOW THE SMITHFIELD BEACH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA.

* FOUR MILES OF RIVER ICE CURRENTLY EXISTS FROM THE SMITHFIELD
BEACH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA DOWNSTREAM TO THE CONFLUENCE OF
BRODHEAD CREEK. THE ICE IS MOSTLY BANK TO BANK AND IS CAUSING
RESTRICTIONS. THESE RESTRICTIONS CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOCKS
ISLAND USGS RIVER GAUGE.

* ALTHOUGH TOCKS ISLAND IS MEASURING HIGHER WATER, BECAUSE THERE
IS ICE PRESENT, EXACT WATER LEVELS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE.

* KEEP IN MIND THAT FLOODING IMPACTS THAT ARE NORMALLY SEEN WITH
WATER MOVING DOWNSTREAM CAN VARY WITH WATER BACKING UP.

* ALTHOUGH WATER LEVELS WERE STILL DECREASING THIS MORNING, FOUR
MILES OF MOSTLY SOLID ICE REMAINS IN THE RIVER. WITH
TEMPERATURES WARMING INTO THE UPPER 40S AND 50S THIS WEEKEND AND
BARELY DIPPING BELOW FREEZING AT NIGHT, MELTING AND FRACTURING
WILL BECOME MORE LIKELY. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS OR ICE JAMS
COULD DEVELOP FURTHER DOWNSTREAM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

&&

Issuing Office: Philadelphia

Source: National Weather Service

Issued: Fri, Jan 26, 3:36 AM EST