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In 2014, a groundbreaking study revealed that the Upper
Delaware River has the potential to generate significant economic value to the
region when river flows and water temperatures are at levels that optimize
recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating. The report also
demonstrated how improved water releases from the Delaware River basin
reservoirs could substantially increase economic revenues for the region.
This week, the findings of that report came into crystal
clear resolution as record- breaking low flows throughout the upper river
system have chased away visitors in droves because they cannot enjoy river
related recreational activities under current conditions.
“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. My revenues are down and based on
conversations I’m having with other business owners in the area, they are
suffering in the same way. Something needs to be done,” 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.
“Improved water releases can soften the blow when these
kinds of weather patterns challenge the Upper Delaware River watershed, and
this should be a resource management goal.
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.
“Our ability to mitigate the effects of these conditions, and
adapt to them, will be critical. To
this end 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 between the three rivers,” said Jeff Skelding, Executive Director
of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.
Friends of the Upper
Delaware River and NY Trout Unlimited are members of the Delaware Watershed
Conservation Coalition.
