For the latest data on Ashokan release channel, please refer to NYCDEP Current Releases.
For data on reservoir levels, please refer to NYCDEP Current Reservoir Levels.
For the latest data on Ashokan release channel, please refer to NYCDEP Current Releases.
For data on reservoir levels, please refer to NYCDEP Current Reservoir Levels.
The Ashokan Release Channel is being reactivated today at 15 million gallons per day (mgd) for community releases. The current release channel turbidity is 4.4 NTU. Ashokan Reservoir’s east basin is currently spilling over at a rate of 635 mgd. The combined spill and release rate will be maintained below 1000 mgd per the interim release protocol.
The Mount Marion gauge is currently at 16.2 ft river stage and steadily decreasing to 14.9 ft for the forecast period ending May 22 at 8:00am.
The Ashokan Release has been changed from 200MGD to the minimum community release rate of 15 MGD from the west basin. The turbidity of the release is relatively clear at 5.1NTU.
The reservoir storage elevation target for May 1 is 100% and the reservoir is currently at 99.8%. The Catskill Aqueduct diversion is 300MGD from the east basin.
The release channel flow will be increased in anticipation of additional forecasted runoff, ramping up to 270MGD by 8pm on April 16th and to 500 MGD by 10:30am on April 17th. The target storage elevation for tomorrow is 97%, and the reservoir storage is currently at 97.8%. The quality of water being released is still relatively good at 5.2 NTU.
NYCDEP will increase flow rate on the Ashokan Release Channel from 10 mgd to 150 mgd today and maintain a draw from the West Basin into the Catskill Aqueduct. This increase is intended to keep reservoir level on target with the CSSO of 95.5% and anticipating a surplus of forecasted inflows. Release rate is expected to stay at 150 mgd through the weekend and will be reevaluated next week. Current storage in the reservoir is 94.3% with a turbidity of 5.1 NTU.
After releasing daily volumes between 100 million gallons and 400 millions gallons for several weeks, the release channel has been reduced to the seasonal minimum of 10 MGD. Total released in February was over 3.8 billion gallons, and in March over 5.2 billion. The reservoir level reached 82%, allowing an 18% void to capture potential snowmelt.
As a result of spill mitigation releases that began on January 9th, the Ashokan Reservoir is now back to the 90% seasonal target. Therefore, the release rate will be ramped down on Friday from 200MGD to the minimum of 10MGD according to the Interim Release Protocol.
Over 9 billion gallons of water have been released from the reservoir during the month of January, and water quality remains relatively clear at under 5 NTU. Both releases and Catskill Aqueduct continue to draw from the west basin.