FUDR MISSION STATEMENT

The lower section of the Upper Delaware Wild Trout Fishery is part of the federally designated “Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River”.

Our mission

To protect, preserve and enhance the ecosystem and cold-water fishery of the Upper Delaware River System and to address any environmental threats to our area for the benefit of local communities, residents and visitors to the region.

To accomplish this Mission, the following are deemed critical:

1. Provide 600 cfs minimum release from Cannonsville from May 15 through September 15 to cool the West Branch and main stem Delaware from Hancock to Lordville (about 10 miles) to acceptable temperatures (below 70 degrees F.) for the trout and food supply.
Note: An investigation of the release records at the Cannonsville Dam over the past 25 years show average daily release of over 600 cfs through late June, July, August and September. So, it’s not a question of enough water – it’s about managing the releases properly. Erratic releases of 1500 cfs one day, followed by 225 cfs the next day create unstable and lethal conditions for the trout and habitat. High water temperatures during this summer period and low winter flows result in fish kills and damage to habitat. This is why the fishery has never approached its potential.

2. Provide a 300 cfs minimum flow from Cannonsville the rest of the year to keep the West Branch streambed wetted year round. This would increase insect, spawn and fry survival and avoid major winter fish kills.

3. The West Branch and main stem, downstream to Lordville, NY should not exceed 70 degrees at any time.
<Note: Water temperatures over 70 degrees F. for sustained periods severely damage the wild trout population. These temperatures also have a disastrous effect on insect hatches and the fishing, and are devastating to the economy of the entire area.

4. The mandated (1954 Supreme Court Decree) flow measure of 1750 cfs at Montague, NJ should not include the Lackawaxen flow generated by the new PP&L proposal.
Note: Crediting of the proposed PPL releases at Montague, NJ will reduce Cannonsville releases severely during the hot summer, creating a major threat to the Upper Delaware tailwater fishery and its related economy.

5. Releases from the reservoirs should be ramped (changed gradually) over an acceptable period of time, rather than abrupt changes, which damage trout habitat, leaving insects high and dry.
Note: The policy of yo-yo releases is common practice with the current management because the system is not being managed with the fishery in mind. Large releases of 1,000-1,500 cfs one day, followed by a drop to 225 cfs, and sometimes as low as 45 cfs the next, pose major problems to habitat, trout, anglers and the economy of the area.

6. Augment the flow requirement releases from the Cannonsville Reservoir with releases from Pepacton Reservoir when Cannonsville is at the 30% level or lower. This will reduce silt in the West Branch and main stem Delaware, as well as unacceptably low oxygen levels.
Note: In 2001, the Rivermaster reduced the Cannonsville Reservoir to an unprecedented 3% level while the Pepacton reservoir on the East Branch was around 70%. This emptied an incredible amount of silt into the West Branch and main stem waters, causing untold damage to the insect population. It is unconscionable that this could be allowed to happen to a nationally famous wild fishery.

7. Establish a plan for proportional water release reduction during official drought and drought warning conditions – one that will not harm the trout or habitat.

8. When water is spilling over the Cannonsville Dam during periods of high water temperatures, water should be released from the bottom of the dam to compensate for the warm surface overflow water. Failure to do so is in violation of part 671 New York State REC regulations. Bottom releases must be regulated to keep the water temperature at Lordville below 70 degrees F. No meaningful amount of water would be wasted by this, but the bottom release would protect and improve the habitat, the fishery and the economy of the area.
Note: During the disastrous 2003 fishing season, when all 3 reservoirs were continuously full, and the Cannonsville Reservoir was spilling from May through October, at least 90% of the time, the fishery and local economies needlessly suffered through one of its worse seasons due to warm water temperatures caused by the failure of the Rivermaster to release enough water during this long spillage period.

9. Cold Spring Brook in Stilesville, NY and Butler Brook in Deposit, NY are still major sources of silt on the West Branch after heavy rains. The problems must be located and corrected, since silt destroys insect populations.

10. A thermal bank, similar to the one currently in use, is needed to draw on in severe heat waves to insure a 70 degree F. maximum water temperature at Lordville, which is approximately the mid point of the main stem fishery .

11. Although the East Branch (Pepacton) and the Neversink reservoir releases have no effect on reducing the summer water temperatures on the Upper Delaware main stem, provisions must be made to protect both of these fisheries with consistent releases. A study should be conducted to determine minimum releases on both reservoirs.
Note: The Pepacton reservoir on the East Branch is over thirty miles from the main stem and is also influenced by warm water from the Beaverkill. The Neversink is approximately 60 miles below the primary main stem.

12. Eliminate the stocking of hatchery trout in the East Branch wild trout fishery.
Note: Numerous studies have documented the adverse impact that adult hatchery trout have on wild trout populations. The introduction of adult hatchery trout disrupts the established social hierarchy of the resident wild trout causing harmful fighting among and between resident and stocked fish. Survival of adult stocked trout has been determined to be very low, and even in the absence of any fishing, the population of resident wild trout has been shown to decline significantly when adult hatchery trout are stocked on top of a well established wild trout population.