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MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission
is to improve the flows and protect the habitat of the famous Upper
Delaware wild trout fishery through consistent cold water releases from
the Cannonsville Dam. The lower section of the Upper Delaware Wild Trout
Fishery is part of the federally designated “Upper Delaware Scenic and
Recreational River”.
To accomplish this Mission, the following are deemed critical:
1- Provide
600 cfs minimum release from Cannonsville from May 15 through
September 15 to cool the West Branch and main stem Delaware from Hancock
to Lordville (about 10 miles) to acceptable temperatures (below 70 degrees
F.) for the trout and food supply.
Note:
An investigation of the release records at the Cannonsville Dam over the
past 25 years show average daily release of over 600 cfs through late
June, July, August and September. So, it’s not a question of enough water
– it’s about managing the releases properly. Erratic releases of 1500 cfs
one day, followed by 225 cfs the next day create unstable and lethal
conditions for the trout and habitat. High water temperatures during this
summer period and low winter flows result in fish kills and damage to
habitat. This is why the fishery has never approached its potential.
2- Provide a
300 cfs minimum flow from Cannonsville the rest of the year to keep
the West Branch streambed ‘wetted’ year round. This would increase insect,
spawn and fry survival and avoid major winter fish kills.
3- The West
Branch and main stem, downstream to Lordville, NY should not exceed 70
degrees at any time.
NOTE:
Water temperatures over 70 degrees F. for sustained periods severely
damage the wild trout population. These temperatures also have a
disastrous effect on insect hatches and the fishing, and are devastating
to the economy of the entire area.
4- The
mandated (1954 Supreme Court Decree) flow measure of 1750 cfs at Montague,
NJ should not include the Lackawaxen flow generated by the new PP&L
proposal.
NOTE:
Crediting of the proposed PPL releases at Montague, NJ will reduce
Cannonsville releases severely during the hot summer, creating a major
threat to the Upper Delaware tailwater fishery and its related economy.
5- Releases
from the reservoirs should be ramped (changed gradually) over an
acceptable period of time, rather than abrupt changes, which damage trout
habitat, leaving insects high and dry.
NOTE:
The policy of yo-yo releases is common practice with the current
management because the system is not being managed with the fishery
in mind. Large releases of 1,000-1,500 cfs one day, followed by a drop to
225 cfs, and sometimes as low as 45 cfs the next, pose major problems to
habitat, trout, anglers and the economy of the area.
6- Augment
the flow requirement releases from the Cannonsville Reservoir with
releases from Pepacton Reservoir when Cannonsville is at the 30% level or
lower. This will reduce silt in the West Branch and main stem Delaware,
as well as unacceptably low oxygen levels.
NOTE:
In 2001, the Rivermaster reduced the Cannonsville Reservoir to an
unprecedented 3% level while the Pepacton reservoir on the East Branch was
around 70%. This emptied an incredible amount of silt into the West Branch
and main stem waters, causing untold damage to the insect population. It
is unconscionable that this could be allowed to happen to a nationally
famous wild fishery.
7- Establish
a plan for proportional water release reduction during official drought
and drought warning conditions - one that will not harm the trout or
habitat.
8- When water
is spilling over the Cannonsville Dam during periods of high water
temperatures, water should be released from the bottom of the dam to
compensate for the warm surface overflow water. Failure to do so is in
violation of part 671 New York State REC regulations.
Bottom
releases must be regulated to keep the water temperature at Lordville
below 70 degrees F. No meaningful amount of water would be wasted by this,
but the bottom release would protect and improve the habitat, the fishery
and the economy of the area.
NOTE:
During the disastrous 2003 fishing season, when all 3 reservoirs were
continuously full, and the Cannonsville Reservoir was spilling from May
through October, at least 90% of the time, the fishery and local economies
needlessly suffered through one of its worse seasons due to warm water
temperatures caused by the failure of the Rivermaster to release enough
water during this long spillage period.
9- Cold
Spring Brook in Stilesville, NY and Butler Brook in Deposit, NY are still
major sources of silt on the West Branch after heavy rains. The problems
must be located and corrected, since silt destroys insect populations.
10- A thermal
bank, similar to the one currently in use, is needed to draw on in severe
heat waves to insure a 70 degree F. maximum water temperature at Lordville,
which is approximately the mid point of the main stem fishery .
11- Although the East
Branch (Pepacton) and the Neversink reservoir releases have no effect on
reducing the summer water temperatures on the Upper Delaware main stem,
provisions must be made to protect both of these fisheries with consistent
releases. A study should be conducted to determine minimum releases on
both reservoirs.
NOTE:
The Pepacton reservoir on the East Branch is over thirty miles from the
main stem and is also influenced by warm water from the Beaverkill. The
Neversink is approximately 60 miles below the primary main stem.
12- Eliminate
the stocking of hatchery trout in the East Branch wild trout fishery.
NOTE:
Numerous studies have documented the adverse impact that adult hatchery
trout have on wild trout populations. The introduction of adult hatchery
trout disrupts the established social hierarchy of the resident wild trout
causing harmful fighting among and between resident and stocked fish.
Survival of adult stocked trout has been determined to be very low, and
even in the absence of any fishing, the population of resident wild trout
has been shown to decline significantly when adult hatchery trout are
stocked on top of a well established wild trout population.
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