Drought
Update: 11/05/2001
Statewide
for 2001 rainfall has been below normal for 7 out of 10 months.
This has resulted in dry conditions, which show up as reduced
stream flows, lower lake levels, and declines in ground water
levels. Storage in New Jersey's water supply reservoirs is 10
percent below normal for this time of year. These conditions
are also prevalent throughout the region. Combined storage in
the Delaware River Basin Reservoirs (Pepacton, Neversink, Cannonsville)
was 17.3 percent below normal on October 29, 2001, the fifth
straight day storage was below the Drought Watch line, and a
Drought Watch was put into effect for the entire Delaware River
Basin. For these reasons State Environmental Protection Commissioner
Bob Shinn issued a "drought watch" for all of New Jersey on
October 30, 2001.
On
November 4, 2001 the combined storage in the Delaware River
Basin Reservoirs fell below the Drought Warning level and the
entire Delaware River Basin is now in Drought Waning. This encompasses
New Jersey's northwest and southwest drought regions, as well
as portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Under Drought
Watch New Jersey's allowable diversion through the D & R Canal
is reduced from 100 million gallons per day (mgd) to 70 mgd,
and the allowable average New York City diversion is reduced
from 680 mgd to 560 mgd. The target flow in the Delaware River
at Montague is reduced from 1655 cubic feet per second (cfs)
to 1550 cfs, while the target flow at Trenton remains at 2700
cfs. Conservation releases from the major basin reservoirs will
be reduced, and the Merrill Creek Reservoir continues with water
releases to make up for consumptive use of water by power generation
plants within the basin.
The
remainder of New Jersey's drought regions are still in drought
watch. Currently the State has no drought restrictions in place,
but voluntary conservation is strongly encouraged. Due to the
random nature of rainfall the past 5 months localized areas
may be experiencing some water supply problems. Please contact
your local municipality or water company concerning any local
water use restrictions that may be in place.
This
message will be change periodically as conditions warrant. For
additional information please refer to www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply.
The website also links to the U.S.G.S., New Jersey District
web page for stream flow and ground water levels. For additional
information on the Delaware River Basin Commission please refer
to www.state.nj.us/drbc/.
Past Drought Updates |