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News & Bulletins
April 24, 2008 REGULATING DISTRICT PROVIDES 53% REDUCTION IN ALBANY, NY – Through a strategic water release plan at the peak of Spring runoff from melting snow, the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD) is managing river flow in the Hudson River while maximizing water releases from Great Sacandaga Lake, one of five river-regulating reservoirs operated by the Regulating District. The Regulating District provided a 53% reduction of water flow in the Hudson River below the confluence of the Hudson and Sacandaga Rivers. On April 12, the natural flow of the Hudson River exceeded 20,500 cfs (cubic feet per second) at Hadley, and 21,900 cfs at Fort Edward, as the reservoir stored inflow of 22,700 cfs, over 169,000 gallons per second. Operation of Great Sacandaga Lake resulted in a peak reduction in Hudson River flow of more than 22,700 cfs on April 12, and 17,900 cfs on April 13. On April 24 at 8:45 AM the Hudson River at Fort Edward was flowing at a rate of 22,900 cfs and was below flood stage. “Through our river regulation, we were able to reduce the potential peak flood stage downstream of Hadley by more than four feet,” said Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director of the Regulating District. On April 24 at 9:45 AM the flow of the Sacandaga River at Hadley was 13,800 cfs. Rainfall on the Great Sacandaga Lake watershed during January, February, and March resulted in above-average reservoir inflow. In April, the water content of the snow pack raised the inflow to three times the historic average. The Regulating District continues to balance the need for flood protection with its desire to lower reservoir elevation, while meeting its statutory obligation to provide river regulation and comply with the Offer of Settlement at the Great Sacandaga Lake. For information on river flows and the Regulating District’s reservoir releases, please visit http://www.hrbrrd.com/gauges.html. Please visit the National Weather Service website at http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=buf or the U.S. Geological Survey website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/current/?type=flow for predictions and forecasts. April 24, 2008 REGULATING DISTRICT CREATES STRATEGIC WATER RELEASE PROGRAM TO REGULATE BLACK RIVER FLOW AND LOWER STILLWATER RESERVOIR WATERTOWN, NY – In an effort to manage water levels and flow of the Black River due to recent run-off from snow melt, the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD) has executed a daily water release plan that will run for the next four days. The plan requires a 198% increase of daily water release from the Stillwater Reservoir from 670 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,000 cfs, approximately 15,000 gallons per second. The release effort is due to above-average precipitation in the Black River watershed during January, February, and March which resulted in higher reservoir inflow. In April the the water content of the snow pack raised the inflow to two times the historic average. “Given the recent warm, dry weather coupled with the snow melt, we are lowering the reservoir at a manageable rate with the current release,” said Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director of the Regulating District. “Our plan is to continue this increased water release until April 28, but we may continue the increased release if the inflow to the reservoir does not decrease as rapidly as forecast.” On April 24 at 9:00 AM the Black River at Watertown was flowing at a rate of 12,300 cfs, and was approximately 3 feet below flood stage. For information on river flows and the Regulating District’s reservoir releases, please visit http://www.hrbrrd.com/gauges.html. Please visit the National Weather Service website at http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=buf or the U.S. Geological Survey website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/current/?type=flow for predictions and forecasts.
April 4, 2008 AUDREY DUNNING NAMED TO BOARD OF (ALBANY) - Audrey Dunning of Ilion has been named to the Board of the Hudson River - Black River Regulating District for a term to expire on September 1, 2012. She replaces Arthur E. Eyre, also of Herkimer County, whose term expired. Mrs. Dunning is an attorney in Herkimer. Chair Philip W. Klein said, “With her legal background and interest in water resources, she will be an excellent addition to our Board.” Mrs. Dunning will be sworn in at the next meeting of the Board scheduled for April 14, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Lowville Town Offices in Lowville, New York.
March 14, 2008 REGULATING DISTRICT INSPECTS CONKLINGVILLE DAM MAYFIELD, NY – Members of the Board of The Hudson River - Black River Regulating District visited the Conklingville Dam on March 13 to inspect the grounds after an attempted break in. The group proactively revisited the intrusion site in an effort to verify the security of the dam. In addition, Board members discussed where they planned to position the newly purchased video cameras and other security enhancements that were approved at the February Board meeting. The Board discovered that all safety measures were up to task. It was also determined that a person acting alone or with accomplices would have little to no chance of affecting the flows of the water. The multi-layers of security at the Dam were found to be more than substantial. For more information on the safety of the Conklingville Dam, please contact Glenn LaFave, Executive Director of the Hudson River – Black River Regulating District at 518-661-5535. The intruder attempted to break into the Conklingville Dam sometime between 4 p.m. on March 3 and 8 a.m. on March 4. The person cut fencing and entered the restricted area at the dam in the Town of Hadley. Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who observed suspicious activity near the Conklingville Dam, is asked to contact the New York State Police at 518-583-7000.
March 7 , 2008 REGULATING DISTRICT SEEKS IDENTITY OF INTRUDER Operations at Dam Were Not Compromised MAYFIELD, NY - The Hudson River - Black River Regulating District requests information from the public regarding the identity of an intruder who attempted to break into the Conklingville Dam sometime between 4 p.m. on March 3 and 8 a.m. on March 4. The intruder cut fencing and entered the restricted area at the dam in the Town of Hadley. The person, who may have had accomplices, unsuccessfully attempted to enter the dam facility through locked hatches. “Due to our many layers of security, the intruder was not able to enter the dam or gatehouse structure and at no time were operations compromised,” stated Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director of the Hudson River - Black River Regulating District. “The Regulating District takes dam security very seriously. In fact, at the February 11, 2008 Board Meeting, the Regulating District Board proactively approved the purchase of video cameras, monitoring instruments and other security devices for the Conklingville Dam. With these enhancements, the Conklingville Dam will be safer and more secure. In the meantime, other security measures have been increased at the dam.” Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who observed suspicious activity near the Conklingville Dam, is asked to contact the New York State Police at 518-583-7000.
February 25, 2008 HUDSON RIVER-BLACK RIVER REGULATING DISTRICT BOARD The Board meetings will be held as follows: April 14, 2008 - Lowville (Black River Area) The Board’s jurisdiction is the Hudson and Black River watersheds in twelve counties. Board meetings are held throughout the Board’s jurisdiction in an effort to give all stakeholders an opportunity to attend a Board meeting that is reasonably close to their home. The meetings are also purposefully held close to the locations of Regulating District facilities, such as at the Stillwater Reservoir and near the dams at Old Forge and Sixth Lake near Inlet, as the Board members often tour these facilities following the Board meetings. Further information about Board meetings can be found on the Board Meetings page of the Regulating District’s website at http://www.hrbrrd.com/boardmeetings.html. Also, Executive Director, Glenn A. LaFave delivered his annual “State of the Regulating District” report which can be found online at www.hrbrrd.com/sotrd08.html.
December 11, 2007 HUDSON RIVER-BLACK RIVER REGULATING DISTRICT VOTES TO CONTINUE CURRENT GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE PERMIT SYSTEM RULES Implementation of Proposed Rules Postponed until 2009 MAYFIELD, NY (December 11, 2007) At the December 10, 2007 Hudson River-Black River Regulating District Board Meeting, the “Resolution to Acknowledge Certain Past Practices Relating to the Permit System Rules” was passed. This resolution continues the current rules for the permit system at Great Sacandaga Lake established in 1993. “The Board hoped to implement new rules in 2008 but, due to time constraints and regulatory requirements, the implementation must be postponed,” stated Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director. “Our current permit system rules will stay in effect for 2008.” Earlier this year, the Regulating District Board submitted the proposed rules and related documents to the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR). After GORR reviews and approves the proposed rules, the rules will be sent to the NYS Department of State for publication in the State Register. Then there will be a 45-day public comment period. The Regulating District Board will review the public comments and could revise the rules before formally adopting them and forwarding the rules to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for review, possible revision and approval. After DEC approval, the new rules could be implemented in 2009 with the exception of permit system fees, which have been capped until 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permit System Survey Survey for Non-Commercial Access Permit Holders Survey for Commercial or Special Access Permit Holders
RRESERVOIR ELEVATIONS AND RIVER FLOWS ANTICIPATED TO RISE IN THE BLACK RIVER AREA April 11, 2008 RESERVOIR ELEVATIONS AND RIVER FLOWS ANTICIPATED TO RISE IN THE HUDSON RIVER AREA April 10, 2008 Regulating District Posts Answers To Permit System Questions September 19, 2007 Regulating District Conducts Permit System Survey March 2, 2007 Regulating District Schedules Summer Public Meetings for Permit System Rules July 10, 2007 Regulating District Schedules Summer Public Meetings for Permit System Rules June 22, 2007 Regulating District Establishes Advisory Committee November 14, 2006 Regulating District to Cap Permit Fees May 10, 2006 Employment Opportunities (None at this time) |
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