Heads Up to all Upper Delaware River Users

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is planning to shut down the water release from Cannonsville Dam for a 3-day period in April or May to repair a broken valve and to conduct the annual emergency gate tower exercise at the dam. 

Typically, the state mandated annual exercise lasts approximately 4-5 hours, but this year they must also fix the broken valve to assure public safety and to avoid larger problems and longer disruptions in the future. The valve repair involves additional equipment and personnel and requires work both in the river and in the release chamber which will take up to 3 days. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been notified as the state agency responsible for protecting the UDR fishery.

Over the years, FUDR and our conservation partners have emphasized the need for sufficient public notice and making sure the river is protected when events such as these arise. To their credit, DEP has committed to providing watershed stakeholders and the general public with one week’s notice prior to commencing activities at the dam. DEP will also be looking for an opportunity, based on weather forecasting, to conduct the work when the reservoir is full or spilling and/or in concurrence with a storm in order to minimize impacts on flows in the West Branch. 

FUDR and our partners will be in close communication with DEP and DEC as this situation unfolds and will provide our members and supporters with timely updates.

This entry was posted in Events, News, Press Release, Uncategorized on April 5, 2021 by admin.