Hudson River-Black River Regulating District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2003
REGULATING DISTRICT CONTINUES EFFORTS TO LOWER LAKE LEVELS
Officials May Seek to Release More Water From Sacandaga Lake
Hudson River-Black River Regulating District Executive Director Willard Loveless today reassured residents along Great Sacandaga Lake that every effort is being made by the Regulating District to lower the lake. In addition to releasing the maximum volume of water allowed under current Upper Hudson / Sacandaga River Offer of Settlement operation rules, the Regulating District is examining the possibility of requesting an exception that would provide for a temporary increase in the allowable release of waters from the lake.
"The Regulating District is aware the level of the lake is high and we are doing our best to lower the level and address the concerns of area residents," Executive Director Loveless said. "Since the water from the reservoir is dependent upon the natural flow of the Hudson River, and the natural flow is already exceeding the allowable releases, we are limited in our ability to expedite the lowering of the lake without receiving an exception to existing operating rules."
Great Sacandaga Lake has risen substantially this fall due to above average Hudson River flow, above average reservoir inflow, and as a result of Hudson River maximum flow limitations defined in the Upper Hudson / Sacandaga River Offer of Settlement. On December 8 the reservoir elevation was approximately 14.2 feet above the Offer of Settlement target elevation of 754.5 feet and 14.4 feet above the historic average elevation of 754.3 feet.
The Offer of Settlement operation rules preclude the release of water from the reservoir during the period of time when the natural flow in the Hudson River exceeded approximately 7500 to 8000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The Hudson River flow, as measured at Hadley, exceeded 8000 cfs for nine days between October 27 and November 23. Subsequently, inflow to the Lake was stored during the nine-day period.
The Regulating District is required to follow the operation rules of the Offer of Settlement; however, the Regulating District has requested a consultation meeting with signatories of the Offer of Settlement to discuss the possibility of an exception to the operating rules limiting the release of water from the Great Sacandaga Lake. Except for emergency situations, the Regulating District is not permitted to deviate from the Offer of Settlement without consultation and concurrence by the parties involved.
Although the reservoir elevation is greatly dependent upon the inflow, the Regulating District is hopeful that water releases over the next three months will be sufficient to lower the reservoir to the mid-March target elevation of 748 feet. Based on historic average reservoir inflow, historic average Hudson River flow, and a maximum allowable release of 4000 cfs from the Great Sacandaga Lake, the reservoir elevation is estimated to be 764.8 feet on December 31, 759.3 feet on January 31, 753.2 on February 29, and 751.7 on March 15, 2004.