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Flow – A flow measured at a designated point in the river includes all water (tributary water, summer run-off, dam spillage, rain, etc.) coming to the monitoring point (or flow point).  This water is generally warmer than water released from the bottom of Cannonsville dam.

Release – Water that is discharged from the bottom of a reservoir is called a release.  It is also measured in Cubic Feet per Second.  This water accounts for the critical cold flows during summer months that protect the wild trout fishery.  The more water that is released from a reservoir extends the cold-water fishery further downriver.

Flows in the Upper Delaware River are measured in Cubic Feet per Second (cfs).  Flow gauges were placed 10 and 15 miles downriver from Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs respectively.  New York City DEP and New York State DEC agree upon minimum flow targets for each branch of the river.  The status of these flow targets change from year-to-year.  NYCDEP and NYSDEC have agreed to a 3-year experimental flow target of 225 cfs as gauged at Hale Eddy, NY on the West Branch of the Delaware River; 175 cfs as gauged at Harvard on the East Branch; and 120 cfs on the Neversink.

A 225 cfs proposed experimental flow from Cannonsville Reservoir as measured at Hale Eddy, NY is inadequate for the protection of the Upper Delaware River during critical summer months.  In 1981 and 1985 fish kills occurred when critical summer releases were reduced during the summer of a low water year to its minimum flow targets set.  High water years are also vulnerable.  The year 2003 is a prime example as reservoir spillage in July and August warmed the West Branch to over 70 degrees, completely shutting down the fishing.

The Rivermaster controls the dam releases.  His summary reports for the past 25 years indicate that release averages from Cannonsville dam were over 640 cfs during critical summer months (please see graph below).  This, in part, is due to the 1954 Supreme Court Decision that states NYC is responsible to maintain 1750 cfs flow target in Montague, NJ.  This resulted in NYC to release high volumes of cold water during summer months.  PPL proposed operation this year can reduce the summer historic flow averages to the very minimum.

As indicated by the graph the 225 cfs experimental flow is lower than the natural flows occurring before Cannonsville was built.  This is very significant and without adequate summer releases to lower water temperatures can severely jeopardize the wild trout population, particularly in the “Wild & Scenic” corridor located on the main stem.

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