Low flows in upper river system impact tourism

Posted 8/21/12

UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — Record-breaking low flows into the upper river system of the Upper Delaware River are having a negative impact on the local economy. “The low water has negatively affected …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Low flows in upper river system impact tourism

Posted

UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — Record-breaking low flows into the upper river system of the Upper Delaware River are having a negative impact on the local economy. “The low water has negatively affected my business in an enormous way, and the season has only just started. Over the past few days my customer base virtually disappeared. The people are not coming,” said Theresa Allen, owner and operator of the Hancock Liquor Store based in the village of Hancock, NY.

Low water inflows into the Delaware River basin reservoirs have resulted in severely limited amounts of water being released from the reservoirs, and record-breaking low water levels in the rivers. Low water makes it difficult and often impossible to float a boat of any kind down the river, and causes water temperatures to rise rapidly, posing grave threats to the habitat of the unique cold water ecosystem.

“Low inflow conditions, coupled with long-range forecasts of continued dry weather over the next 12 months, are going to present a real challenge for everyone this season,” said Garth Pettinger of NY Trout Unlimited.

“We have initiated calls for improved water releases, and a reduction in the disproportional reliance on the Delaware system for drinking water diversions. We’ve also requested that a formal thermal relief program be included in the next water management plan, and for directed releases to be distributed among the three rivers,” said Jeff Skelding, executive director of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here