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News Release January 15, 2007 HUDSON AND SACANDAGA RIVER FLOWS TO REMAIN HIGH The Hudson River – Black River Regulating District has increased the releases at Great Sacandaga Lake, increasing the flows in the Hudson and Sacandaga Rivers. The releases are intended to significantly lower the elevation at Great Sacandaga Lake so the valves in the Conklingville Dam can be inspected and repaired as necessary. At the January 8, 2007 Board Meeting, the Board of the Hudson River – Black River Regulating District passed a resolution authorizing repair of the inoperable No. 1 valve at the Conklingville Dam. The Regulating District is in the process of repairing a missing pin that is part of the operating mechanism used in the operation of the valve. The valve will remain out-of-service until the pin is replaced and the mechanism is inspected and tested. The Board also directed the Regulating District’s engineering staff to inspect and repair the other two valves as necessary. On Friday, January 12, 2007, when Regulating District personnel were performing a routine closure of the No. 2 valve, they experienced an abnormal vibration and noise when the valve was approximately half way closed. When the valve was approximately ninety percent closed, the vibration and noise ceased and the valve closed and sealed normally. Although the exact cause of the vibration and noise is unknown, the Regulating District considers the No. 2 valve temporarily inoperable. A preliminary underwater investigation of the No. 2 valve was performed and no visual problem was noted. The pin that is missing from valve No. 1 is intact in valve No. 2. The Regulating District initiated a release of water from the Great Sacandaga Lake of approximately 7,300 cubic feet per second on January 12, 2007 and on January 15, 2007 is releasing approximately 7,900 cubic feet per second (approximately 3.5 million gallons per minute). As these releases exceed the maximum flow limitation included in the Upper Hudson/Sacandaga River Offer of Settlement, the Regulating District is consulting with agencies, organizations and municipalities as required in the Offer of Settlement. It is anticipated that the increased release of water will continue for the foreseeable future. Upon achieving an elevation of 760.0 feet, the Regulating District intends to reevaluate the hydrologic and hydraulic conditions of the reservoir and river system as well as the meteorological forecast to determine the appropriate time to discontinue the Regulating District’s exception to the maximum flow limitation included in the Offer of Settlement. “Public safety is the Regulating District’s highest priority,” stated Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director of the Regulating District. “Although we are increasing downstream river flows as we draw down the reservoir more rapidly, considering the circumstances it is the right thing to do.”
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