| DEP SUSPENDS LAKE LOWERING
ACTIVITIES ON LAKE HOPATCONG
DROUGHT EMERGENCY PERSISTS (02/64)
TRENTON – In response to prolonged drought conditions, New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today
announced an immediate one-year suspension of all draw-down activities on Lake
Hopatcong, Morris County, in an effort to conserve existing water supplies. "With
declining reservoir levels and below average rainfall for the month of July, we
must remain vigilant in the conservation of all available water supplies,"
Campbell said. "Hot temperatures, combined
with spiking residential and commercial water demands reinforce the need to keep
the lake at full water storage capacity." DEP lowers
water levels in the lake to protect the dam and lakeshore structures against damage
from ice in winter and to allow for shoreline and other structural repairs. All
shoreline maintenance currently permitted for work this year is deferred. Conditions
will be reevaluated at the end of this one-year suspension. All permits issued
in anticipation of the lake lowering will be extended for a one-year period. Although
passing flows may be reduced during drought, no passing flow reductions are anticipated
at this time. | 
