July 23-29, 2015

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Your Award-Winning News Source for the Upper Delaware River Valley Region Since 1975

Vol. 41 No. 30

JULY 23 - 29, 2015

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NYDEP draining Cannonsville pending repairs Turbid seepage being analyzed to detect potential problems By ANNE WILLARD

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RAHAMSVILLE, NY — The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) increased both drinking water diversions and downstream releases to maximum sustainable rates on July 15 after workers drilling for core samples near New York City’s Cannonsville Reservoir discovered turbidity in seepage coming from a rock embankment below the dam. The DEP envisions that it may be necessary to drain all the water in the reservoir, a process that would be complete sometime in September. However, it has already contracted with New Jersey-based Moretrench to undertake repairs to eliminate the turbid flow, which it hopes will be finished before the reservoir has been completely emptied. The core samples were being taken preparatory to construction of a new hydroelectric plant planned by the city. Adam Bosch, DEP director of public affairs, said that the volume of the turbid seepage (i.e., water in which numerous small particles are suspended) was difficult to assess given the proximity of the location to the dam discharge point, but did not appear to be substantial, and that although it was being discharged into the West Branch, the turbidity was dissipating about 300 yards downstream. He therefore did not believe it posed a danger to wildlife. Bosch noted that seepage in this area, directly below the dam, is common and normal, but that the turbidity is not. Samples of the turbidity are currently being analyzed to determine whether, as the DEP believes, it comes from substances from the drilling holes including drilling muds, rock strata originally contained in those holes and the like. As of Tuesday, according to Bosch, preliminary test results were consistent with this hypothesis. Testing will continue, however. If at some point analysis indicates that the turbidity consists of substances from further back inside the dam filling, it may indicate broader structural problems, and a more complex fix may be needed. When asked whether the DEP could stop emptying

the reservoir if and when it can confirm that the turbidity is coming from the drilling holes, Bosch said, “We are committed to keep discharging from the reservoir at a maximum rate until the problem has been completely fixed, and FERC agrees that we can start refilling.” Bosch noted that the DEP currently has a high degree of confidence that the turbidity is from the drilling holes, based on the fact that instrumentation inside the dam that measures pressure on an ongoing basis has remained steady. However, as Bosch noted in a phone interview, “You don’t fool with dams,” and the aggressive diversions and releases to empty the reservoir are being undertaken in an “abundance of caution.” When asked whether this incident might mean that construction of the planned hydroelectric plant could create similar problems, and whether it might mean the city could not go forward on that project, Bosch said, “That’s something we still have to assess.”

Impacts on fishery and economy Though the DEP does not believe the water drawdown will pose a danger to city water supplies, there is concern that it could prove detrimental to the health of the coldwater fishery and related economy in the longer term. As has been noted in a series of columns by Peter Kolesar in our outdoors section, the final installment of which appears on page 30 of this issue, reservoir releases are essential to maintaining the health and well-being of the population of wild trout in the world-renowned cold-water fisheries of the Upper Delaware. In addition, certain minimum flow levels are needed for drift boats to operate, and the recreational fishing industry suffers significantly if those levels are not met. If Cannonsville is emptied and not refilled by June 1 of next year, the availability of water for conservation releases next summer—and hence flows in the tailwaters and upper Main Stem—could be significantly reduced.

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Thai grilled chicken

Riverfest celebrates 25 years

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ARROWSBURG, NY — Riverfest celebrates 25 years of existence this year, and as in years gone by, a centerpiece will be the auction of Riverfest posters. The one above is a painting of a great blue heron and its reflection, painted by Sullivan County artist Philip Jostrom. It’s one of 42 posters that will be up for auction at the event, which will be held in Narrowsburg on Sunday, July 26. For more on the festivities and a look at some of the Riverfest celebrations of the past, turn to page 20.

Continued on page 3

LITERARY GAZETTE

Beyond BBQ

Contributed photo

Painting of great blue heron by Philip Jostrom.

P O E M S

SPANNING 2 STATES, 4 COUNTIES, AND A RIVER THAT UNITES US

P H O T O G R A P H Y

The River Reporter

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