The New York State Department of Health extended the public comment period until November 15th for draft mid-term revisions of the 2007 Filtration Avoidance Determination for New York City. The document covers the Catskill Turbidity Control program, which includes use of the Ashokan release channel to discharge water into the lower Esopus Creek. The draft revised FAD is available for review on the DOH website: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/nycfad/docs/mid_term_revisions_nyc_2007fad_review.pdf
Consent order made public
The Final Consent Order regarding turbid releases into lower Esopus Creek is now available to the public on the NYSDEC website. Information and Consent Order as PDF available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79771.html
DEC announces consent order with DEP
New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced the consent order agreement with New York City Department of Environmental Protection for the management of the Ashokan Release Channel and mitigation of impacts of turbid discharges into lower Esopus Creek.
The press release is available as PDF: State-DEC-News-Release
Ulster County’s Creek Week events planned for Esopus Creek
Kayak Tour of the Tidal Lower Esopus
9/14 11AM; Saugerties
Riverkeeper and the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership are hosting a kayak tour of the tidal Lower Esopus in Saugerties to share information about the natural history and environmental issues facing the creek. Tour guides include Riverkeeper’s Kate Hudson, and Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership’s Mary McNamara. The tour will include the tidal Lower Esopus creek, and lunch on the grounds of the Saugerties Lighthouse (note: the lighthouse will not be open to the public that day). The tour is suitable for those who have experience in a kayak. Participants may bring their own kayak or canoe, or rent one from I Paddle New York. Space is limited. RSVP required to Dan Shapley at dshapley@riverkeeper.org. Pack a lunch, water and sun protection. Meet at Tina Chorvas Park in Saugerties, NY.
Kayak Tour, Esopus Bend Nature Preserve
9/21 9AM; Saugerties
Esopus Creek Conservancy is sponsoring a guided kayak and canoe tour of Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in conjunction with the annual Ulster County Creek Week. Participants will paddle the tranquil waters of the Esopus Creek above the dam in Saugerties, visiting the coves and wetlands of Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, and the shoreline to the south. Meet 9AM. at the Saugerties Village Beach parking lot on Rte. 9W, just north of the Esopus Creek bridge, at the foot of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. Participants will put-in at the beach. Bring your own kayak or canoe. All participants MUST wear a personal floatation device (life vest). Rain or thunderstorms will cancel the paddle. Children are welcome and encouraged if accompanied by a responsible adult, but please do not bring pets. Pre-registration is required. This ECC Environmental Education paddle is free and open to the public, but limited to a maximum of ten watercraft. For additional information about upcoming ECC Nature Walks and Paddles, please visit www.esopuscreekconservancy.org. Contact the paddle leader, Steve Hart (kayak642000@yahoo.com) to register, or for additional information.
Kids Fishing Day at the Ashokan Reservoir
9/22 9AM – 2PM; Ashokan Reservoir in West Hurley
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection and state Department of Environmental Conservation will host a fishing event for children and their parents. Poles and bait will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own. As part of the state’s “I Fish NY Program,†the New York State fishing license requirement is waived for adults who want to fish during this event. Come and relax, bond with your children, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic fishing the Ashokan Reservoir has to offer! DEP and DEC staff will be available to teach participants how to fish and assist as needed. If adults don’t have a free DEP Access Permit, applications will be available at the event or they can be obtained online anytime at:http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/recreation/access.shtml. The free event will be held at the Woodstock Dike on the Ashokan Reservoir. A parking lot is located on a gravel road off Route 28, just east of the West Hurley Post Office. For more information on the event, you may contact DEP at 845-340-7873.
See full listing of Ulster County’s Annual Creek Week: http://ucenvironment.org/ulster-county-creek-week/
Weekend reservoir release related to recreational whitewater event
NYC DEP increased the Ashokan Release Channel flow rate from 15MGD to 150 MGD to mitigate the impact of a NYS DEC requested whitewater release from Shandaken Tunnel Portal this weekend for an event on the upper Esopus Creek sponsored by the Kayak and Canoe Club of New York. Releasing water from the reservoir in advance and during the whitewater release from the tunnel will mitigate any potential spills from the reservoir since reservoir level is close to 100% capacity.
Ashokan release increased to 150 MGD for the weekend
The Ashokan Release Channel was increased from 95 to approximately 150 MGD. The increases were executed in two 15 to 30 MGD steps with the final step at 8:30AM. Releases are expected to return to the minimum on Monday.
The current release channel turbidity is 4.00 ntu.
Ashokan release increased to 95 MGD
The Ashokan Release Channel was increased from 15 to approximately 95 MGD. The increases were executed in 10 to 20 MGD increments hourly starting at 5PM with the final increase at 8PM.
The current release channel turbidity is 4.7 ntu.
Ashokan release decreased to seasonal minimum
The Ashokan Release Channel will be decreased from 600 to approximately 10 MGD. The decreases will be executed incrementally in 20 to 40 MGD steps scheduled from 8AM to 7:30PM today. The current release channel turbidity is 11.60 ntu.
Ashokan release increased to 600 MGD
The Ashokan Release Channel will be increased from 10 to approximately 600 MGD. The increases will be executed incrementally in 20 to 40 MGD steps over the course of this afternoon and tomorrow morning. The current release channel turbidity is 12.70 ntu.
Ashokan release decreased to 10 MGD
The Ashokan Release Channel was decreased from 200 to approximately 10 MGD, which is the seasonal minimum. The decrease was made incrementally and completed at 1:30PM.
The current release channel turbidity is 16.60 ntu.