Last Weeks Water Temperature Crisis on the Upper Delaware River Averted

For Immediate Release

July 28, 2011

For more information: Dan Plummer, catskilldan@mac.com; 607-363-7848

Cooperation between conservation groups and government policymakers helped stave off a water temperature crisis on the Upper Delaware River during last week’s heat wave.

As air temperatures spiked to nearly 100 degrees in the region on July 22, water temperatures at Lordville, NY, reached 78 degrees and were expected to continue to climb.

It was the first water alert of the summer under a modified reservoir water release plan that took effect on June 1. Members of Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit conservation group, scrambled to find relief for the cold water ecosystem, including its trout, according to its board chairman, Dan Plummer.

Under the Delaware River Basin Commission’s new Flexible Flow Management Program, releases from Cannonsville Reservoir were fixed at 500 cubic feet per second for the summer months and bumped up to 600 cfs a few weeks ago. The new release plan is providing nearly twice as much water than had been released the past four years under the old program.

The 600 cfs figure is sometimes called the “FUDR number,” due to the fact that the original FUDR board has for years advocated a minimum flow of 600 cfs out of Cannonsville.

River temperatures depend largely on the amount of cold water released from the reservoirs. Releases come from the bottom of the reservoirs at temperatures as low as 42 degrees, and at sufficient levels this keeps the rivers cool for miles downstream.

But it became clear that 600 cubic feet per second was insufficient with air temperatures approaching triple digits and with climbing water temps recorded by the river gauge at Lordville.

The conservation group discussed its options.

“The 600 cfs out of Cannonsville should take care of the fishery most of the summer, but it is a minimum release figure, not an ideal,” said Bob Bachman, a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissioner and FUDR board member. “There will be times when we’ll need more cold water, and last week was a perfect example.”

With all three Delaware River reservoirs at more than 90 percent of capacity, FUDR and its partners in the Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition decided to ask government policymakers to temporarily increase the Cannonsville releases to 1,000 cfs—something that has been done only rarely in the past.

“With soaring air temps, rising water temps threatening the trout, and plenty of water in the system,” said Diane “Dee” Maciewjewski, chairman of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited, “we’ve got to ask for the extra water.”

Other groups that supported the effort included Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Federation of FlyFishers, and the Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited.

Jeff Zimmerman, FUDR’s attorney, contacted DRBC commission members–government officials from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware-to explain the situation. As a result, the conservation groups got their extra cold water.

The water spigot was opened on the afternoon of July 22. Within 36 hours, the river’s temperature downstream at Lordville had dropped by more than 10 degrees, to the mid-60s.

Plummer said any of the DRBC commissioners could have vetoed the increased flow. He credited the support of Paul Rush, with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and John Hines of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“These two guys took the lead and got it done,” Plummer said. He noted that Rush followed up with a phone call to make sure all knew the increased flow plan had been executed and hoped it was having the intended results. The flow rate was backed down to 600 cfs after the heat wave passed.

FUDR received many emails and calls congratulating everyone who had helped secure the cold water.

A message from Andy Boyar of the Catskill Flyfishing Center summed it up: “On behalf of the trout, aaaaaah! Thanks.”

Plummer said conservationists and policymakers alike are still sorting out how the new release program will play out in the long run. But he said the conservation groups appreciate the current working relationship with all parties involved.

“Things are looking good,” Plummer said. “Guides and fishermen up and down the river are claiming this is the best season we have had in a long, long time

Visit http://fudr.org for more information and insights on preserving the Upper Delaware River

Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatable Rafts and Paddleboards: What You Need to Know Before You Use Them on the Upper Delaware River

Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts and paddleboards are increasing in popularity with the summer heat.  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding operators of these watercraft that it is important to know what safety equipment and regulations apply.
 
“Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager. “In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.”

The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or stolen.”

Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch permit.”

In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.


Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!

Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your life jacket for easy access.

Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft.  When anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.

Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.

Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts:
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers.  Whether it is legal to launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices, from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC.
 
However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device.  A float tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the possibility of capsizing.  If using an inflatable raft on Commission property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable, reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any floor or bottom.

“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.

Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from any state park office.  For more information see the Boat Registration Section at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm. 

Summer trout and smallmouth bass fishing on the Upper Delaware River

Cross Current Guide Service & Outfitters has introduced a new summer fly fishing guided twilight special.

In addition to their full and half day float trips for trout and smallmouth bass Cross Current has added an evening twilight fly fishing special for the wild rainbow and brown trout of the Upper Delaware River.  Check out the announce below for more details:

Trout Fishing on the Upper Delaware River

It’s been a high water year so far and that has resulted in some excellent fishing on the Delaware.  The Main Stem trout fishing hasn’t been this good, this time of the year for many years!

Sulfurs, Olives, Slate Drakes (as many Delaware fly fishers call, Isos), and Cahills have been on the trout’s menu offering some wonderful late evening fishing.  This has prompted us to offer a new float trip package for as long as these conditions hold together.

Staring now, join us for a Magic Hour evening float trip where you can try your hand on twilight fishing for the Delaware’s famed wild rainbow trout.  This 3 to 4 hour float trip begins with meeting us around 6:00 PM and fishing until dark from the safety and comfort of a drift boat. Catch the excitement of evening spinner falls for just $200 for one or two anglers.

Our Full Day guided trip for up to 2 people is still available for $395. A five hour Half Day’s trip is $295.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing on the Upper Delaware River
Field & Stream Magazine names the Upper Delaware as one of the top five smallmouth bass Rivers in the US - July 2007
The number one reason you should fish for smallmouth bass with us is because it's just downright fun! Perfect for the novice or expert. On spin tackle or on a fly rod the smallmouth is inch for inch and pound for pound, the sportiest fish in freshwater.  As soon as they're hooked a smallmouth lets off with an exciting series of runs and jumps, fighting against the rod and giving the impression that it's a far bigger fish than it is. 

Our Full Day guided Smallmouth trip for up to 2 people, 8+ hours, snacks, soft drinks, and lunch included, is  $350.

Call us at 607-241-7000 or email crosscurrent@optonline.net

River Herring Season to be Closed on The Delaware River and Other Waters

At their quarterly meeting on July 12, 2011 The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)  approved A final rulemaking order imposing a closed season on river herring in the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary; the Lehigh and Schuylkill rivers and their tributaries; and the Conowingo Reservoir on the Susquehanna River.

The changes are being made in cooperation with N.J., N.Y. and Delaware as part of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s interstate management plan for shad and river herring, which states that the river herring population remains at a depressed level.