Drought
Update: 11/21/2001
Statewide
for 2001 rainfall has been below normal for 7 out of 10 months,
and is far below the average for November. This has resulted
in dry conditions, which show up as reduced stream flows, lower
lake levels, and declines in ground water levels. These conditions
are also prevalent throughout the region.
Due
to the continuing lack of precipitation, record low stream flows,
declines in ground water levels, and low water levels in the
Delaware River Basin reservoirs, State Environmental Protection
Commissioner Bob Shinn issued a "drought warning" for New Jersey's
Northwest, Southwest, and Coastal South Drought Regions, on
November 21, 2001. On November 21, 2001 combined storage in
the Delaware River Basin Reservoirs (Pepacton, Neversink, Cannonsville)
was 32.7 percent below normal.
Previously,
on October 30, 2001, Commissioner Shinn had issued a "drought
watch" for all of New Jersey. On November 4, 2001 the Delaware
River Basin Commission went into Drought Warning. The Delaware
River Basin encompasses portions of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
and Delaware.
New
Jersey's Northwest and Southwest Drought Regions lie within
the Delaware River Basin. Its Coastal South Drought Region relies
heavily on shallow wells for water supply and lacks the water
supply infrastructure prevalent with the Northeast, Central
and Coastal North Drought Regions. New Jersey's Northeast, Central
and Coastal North Drought Regions are still in drought watch.
Clink on "Drought Regions" for additional information.
Under
the Drought Warning issued by the DRBC, New Jersey's allowable
diversion through the D & R Canal has been reduced from 100
million gallons per day (mgd) to 70 mgd, and the allowable average
New York City diversion has been reduced from 680 mgd to 560
mgd. The target flow in the Delaware River at Montague has been
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 Delaware River Basin reservoirs have
been reduced, and Merrill Creek Reservoir is making water releases
to make up for consumptive use of water by power generation
plants within the basin.
Currently
the State has no drought restrictions in place, but water 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 |