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