Q&A
Potential for additional water storage and drought management strategies
0:40:05
·
5 min
Council Member Gennaro and Paul Rush discuss potential strategies for improving water storage and drought management in the Delaware River Basin. They explore options for utilizing existing infrastructure and collaborating with other agencies.
- Discussion of a study with the US Army Corps of Engineers to use F.E. Walter Reservoir for drought management
- Exploration of more efficient ways to manage salt front issues in the Delaware River
- Mention of ongoing negotiations and studies to improve the system's resilience
- Gennaro requests a formal briefing on DRBC activities and the Army Corps analysis
Paul Rush
0:40:05
Well, it's something that's actually in the flexible flow management agreement right now that we have with the decree parties, where there's a requirement to study additional storage possibilities within the basin.
0:40:19
And for the New York City system, the biggest point of concern on us is when conditions get into a drought emergency.
0:40:28
And our flow target in Montague, New Jersey right now is based in drought watch, drought warning.
0:40:34
It's a fixed target.
0:40:35
It drops down a 100 cfs.
0:40:38
But when you go into an emergency, that flow target flexes on the position of the salt front in the lower Delaware River.
0:40:46
So when the salt front's higher up, closer to Philadelphia, we have to meet we have to release more water.
0:40:52
What we're working on are ways to replace that and opportunities.
0:40:56
And one of the things we've done over the course of years, as demand in the city has dropped, precipitation has increased, we've changed the way we operate our reservoirs to proactively release water downstream when we know we're in a wet cycle.
0:41:12
So, we push that water downstream, otherwise it would spill.
0:41:16
And we do it in a way that it provides more benefits to the environment and others downstream.
0:41:21
So, this is essentially what what would be called today forecast and form reservoir operations we started to do.
0:41:28
There are other big opportunities to do that with other storage that exist in the basin, primarily operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers at F.
0:41:37
E.
0:41:37
Walter Reservoir in on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania, where we're part of a we're co partners in a study with the Delaware River Basin Commission, New York City, and the Corps of Engineers, looking at alternate ways to use that flood reservoir, primarily flood protection reservoir, in Pennsylvania to use that during a drought
Robert Holden
0:42:02
Right.
Paul Rush
0:42:02
To possibly use that water
Jim Gennaro
0:42:04
That that exists already in the previous reservoir.
0:42:06
So so this reservoir is there.
0:42:08
We could put water in it.
0:42:09
It could hold it for all.
0:42:11
And, I think I heard you mention something about there being a salt issue with with one of those.
0:42:17
So
Paul Rush
0:42:18
Well, that's that's right.
0:42:19
The the concern in a drought of emergency, a requirement, especially as we know sea level's gonna rise, there's a higher risk long term, is pushing that salt back in an efficient way.
0:42:32
Right now, New York City reservoirs are on the hook for that, but the New York City reservoirs are located 100 of miles away from the mouth of the Delaware.
0:42:43
That work or that pushing back of the salt could be done a lot more efficiently with less water by reservoirs closer to the estuary, such as the Corps of Engineers Reservoir, but it would require changing the operations.
0:42:58
And the study we're doing right now with the Corps of Engineers or the Corps of Engineers is leading and we're, helping to support it is looking at the feasibility of using taking advantage of existing infrastructure and using it in a different way to help more efficiently push back water on the salt front that preserves New improves New York City's water systems' resilience, but also has the impact to improve flows that would come downstream from our reservoir for a longer period of time in a severe drought, so it also protects the environment.
0:43:34
And, you know, we were very last this past, fall, or this fall, the commissioner was there with the assistant secretary of army at the, DRBC headquarters to announce an extension of that agreement and, our additional investments to help get that study done.
Jim Gennaro
0:43:53
Well, thank you, sir.
0:43:54
So it looks like what I'm talking about is already underway, and that the, you know, Army Corps, you know, realizes the realities of, all various forms of, you know, climate change adaptation that has to take place.
0:44:11
And, just a note to the staff, whatever.
0:44:16
Is is Josh here or whatever?
0:44:18
Josh?
0:44:19
Okay.
0:44:20
Yeah.
0:44:20
Why don't we, you know, make arrangement with, you know, DEP to get, like, a formal briefing on everything going on with the DRBC and this whole new, you know, Army Corps analysis.
0:44:32
I think it I I think it's good for the council to be updated.
0:44:36
I'm not gonna not gonna have a hearing on it and, like, drag the whole committee in front of it, but at least, you know, the, you know, staff team here and and and our office should be, you know, aware of what's of of, what's going on.
0:44:50
It's very important.
0:44:51
And, and and we appreciate that.
0:44:53
And I have many more questions, but I have members that have questions.
0:44:58
And let me throw it open to them.
0:45:02
I joyfully recognize council member Marmarano for questions.
