Drought
Update: 01/25/2002
Statewide
for 2001 rainfall has been below normal for 10 out of 12 months,
averaging 9.5 inches below normal for the year. 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.
On
December 4th and 5th the State held Drought Hearings to solicit
input on the severity of the situation, its impact upon water
supplies, and on available options that may be used to avert
a water emergency. In order to reduce the likelihood of a water
emergency, designation of a drought warning condition may become
necessary and appropriate to exercise the Department's non-emergency
powers. Under these powers the Department may order, if necessary
any or all of the following: development of an alternate water
supply where possible; rehabilitation and activation of interconnections
between water supply systems; completion of interconnection
flow tests; the transfer of water from any system; and other
modifications of measures deemed appropriate to insure and adequate
water supply.
With
the continued insufficiency of precipitation, and with reservoir
levels in the Northeast and South Coastal Drought Regions being
37 % and 24 % below normal respectively, Acting Commissioner
Bradley Campbell has expanded New Jersey's Drought Warning to
include the Northeast and Coastal North Drought Regions. On
November 21, 2001 a "drought warning" had been issued
for New Jersey's Northwest, Southwest, and Coastal South Drought
Regions. A "drought watch" had been issued for all
of New Jersey on October 30, 2001. 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. The Central Drought Region remains in drought
watch with reservoir levels only 8 % below normal. Click on "Drought Regions" for additional information.
The
Delaware River Basin encompasses portions of New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Delaware River Basin Commission
(DRBC) had declared a "drought warning" on November
4, 2001. On December 1, 2001 the DRBC's Drought Operating Plan
was put into effect. At the DRBC's December 18, 2001 meeting/hearing
at the Commission office in West Trenton the DRBC declared a
drought emergency. In a drought emergency under the Drought
Operating Plan, New Jersey's allowable diversion through the
D & R Canal has been reduced from 70 million gallons per
day (mgd) to 65 mgd, and the allowable average New York City
diversion has been reduced from 560 mgd to 520 mgd. The target
flow in the Delaware River at Montague has been reduced from
1550 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1350 cfs, and the target
flow at Trenton has been reduced from 2700 cfs to 2500 cfs.
Conservation releases from the major Delaware River Basin reservoirs
have been reduced, and Merrill Creek Reservoir is releasing
water 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 precipitation
in the past 7 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
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