The Ashokan Release Channel was decreased today from 520 to approximately 510 MGD. The decrease was made at 1:20PM.
The current release channel turbidity is 7.90 ntu.
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Ashokan Release volume decreased
The Ashokan Release Channel was decreased today from 550 to approximately 520 MGD. The decrease was made at 11:15AM.
The current release channel turbidity is 8.6 ntu.
Ashokan Releases increased to 550MGD
The Ashokan Release Channel was increased today from 520 to approximately 550 MGD. The increases were completed at 2:30PM.
The current release channel turbidity is 8.70 ntu.
Ashokan releases ramping up today
NYCDEP Bureau of Water Supply will be increasing the release of water from the Ashokan Reservoir through the Release Channel Saturday December 1st. This increased release has been coordinated with NYSDEC and will not exceed 600 MGD and will last for 3 weeks. The purpose of the increased diversion is to temporarily stop the Schoharie Reservoir from spilling in order to complete the construction of at least one of the two new temporary siphons at Gilboa Dam.
The current release channel turbidity is 9.20 ntu. Releases are scheduled to ramp up in 40 MDG increments hourly, reaching 530 MGD by 4:30PM today.
Ulster County Exec comments on planned DEP releases
The Office of the Ulster County Executive issued the following press release regarding NYC DEP’s plan to initiate three weeks of releases into Esopus Creek:
ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIKE HEIN IMPLORES NYS DEC TO
HOLD NYC DEP ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ONGOING ENVIRONMENTALLY-DAMAGING BEHAVIORKingston, NY – According to Mark Klotz, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYS DEC) Director of the Division of Water, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) plans to install a new siphon at the Gilboa Dam that will replace those used during the reconstruction work on the dam that were damaged during Hurricane Irene, and dismantled. To lower the Schoharie Reservoir, NYC DEP intends to transfer water from the Schoharie Reservoir, through the Shandaken Tunnel to the Upper Esopus Creek and eventually into the Ashokan Reservoir. It is anticipated that the work will take three weeks.
Because of the expected turbidity of the water that will be transferred from the Schoharie Reservoir into the Upper Esopus Creek, NYC DEP requested that NYS DEC issue it a waiver from the water quality standards it must maintain in at the portal or entrance to the Upper Esopus Creek. It is anticipated by the NYS DEC that NYC DEP will release the maximum amount possible, which is approximately 550-600MGD, through the portal and into the Upper Esopus.
The Ashokan Reservoir is approximately 83% full, with the west basin at capacity and spilling into the east basin. Since this proposed work to the Gilboa Dam will result in a large volume of water entering the Ashokan Reservoir, the NYC DEP is also planning on releasing water from the west basin of the Ashokan Reservoir into the Lower Esopus Creek. Such an operational release is also expected to be at the maximum level of 600 mgd.
County Executive Hein stated, “This is yet another example of NYC DEP’s mismanagement outside of Ulster County negatively impacting the people of Ulster County. Over the course of the last year, Ulster County rebuilt 100% of our infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Irene. We accomplished this ahead of schedule and under budget. Yet NYC DEP, only now with the Schoharie Reservoir spilling, seeks to install a siphon capable of lowering the reservoir. Had the NYC DEP planned ahead and done this during the summer months, this would not be necessary now.
NYC DEP’s plan of action is purely operational, meaning that it is going to be accomplished for DEP’s benefit only, not the health or safety of the Lower Esopus or the people Ulster County. Better planning, which considered the needs of Ulster County’s residents and businesses along the Esopus Creek would have reduced the need for these releases. I implore the NYS DEC to hold the NYC DEP accountable for its ongoing disgraceful, environmentally-damaging behavior.â€
Base-flow releases resumed
The Ashokan Release Channel was increased today from 0 to approximately 10 MGD at 0945hrs.
The current release channel turbidity is 20.30 ntu.
Reservoir update as hurricane approaches
With Hurricane Sandy approaching, DEP Western Operations Division Chief John Vickers provided local officials with a summary of reservoir conditions.
Currently, the Ashokan Reservoir is at 77.8% storage and spilling over the dividing weir from the West Basin to the East Basin. Additional void was created by releasing waters from the West Basin in accordance with the Interim Protocol for Operational Releases. Releases started on 20th of October, releasing approximately 4 billion gallons to date. Turbidity of releases has been near or below the 30 NTU limit. Currently, it is 28.7.
Shandaken Tunnel was opened today to divert water from Schoharie Reservoir to lower the storage in that reservoir, which is currently at 92.1 %. Turbidity at the tunnel is currently 37 NTU. Diversions will be ramped up to approximately 500 MGD. NYSDEC authorized a waiver from the turbidity difference limits in the Shandaken SPDES until 1st of November. NYSDEC has also granted a waiver from the Operational Release turbidity limit for the Ashokan Release until 1st of November. Releases from Ashokan will continue so diversions will not negate the additional void already created.
Releases decreased
The Ashokan Release Channel was decreased today from 600 to approximately 360 MGD. Stop shutters changed. Release Channel increased from 360 to 600 mgd. Started at 1430 hrs, completed at 2330 hrs.
Release Channel turbidity at time of decrease completion was: 33.70 NTU. Current turbidity is: 33.60 NTU.
Releases increased to maximum
The Ashokan Release Channel was increased today from 0 MGD to approximately 600 MGD. The increases were made in approximately four 20 MGD increments and thirteen 40 MGD increments starting at 0900hrs and completed at 2000hrs. Release turbidity is 27 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units).
Releases resume as stream gauge level subsides
The DEP notified local officials that releases will resume today, distributing the following statement:
NYCDEP Bureau of Water Supply will begin releasing water from the Ashokan Reservoir through the Release Channel starting today. The release will be ramped up to a rate not to exceed 600 million gallons per day. Activation of the release channel is made to create more room in the reservoir to capture projected runoff and will help to minimize impacts to the water supply. Such releases have the added benefit of further enhancing the flood protection the reservoir already provides downstream. We will continuously monitor the release rates and adjust as necessary. Additional notifications will be made as required. Thank you for your cooperation.
Releases were shutdown yesterday evening when the Mt. Marion Stream gauge reached “Action Stage.” Now that the stream level has dropped, releases are allowed by the Interim Release Protocol, which provides for “Operational Releases” to prevent spilling of turbid water from the West Basin to the East Basin of the Ashokan Reservoir.