Releases into the Delaware River from two reservoirs that provide water for New York City won't decrease as planned before this weekend, according to that city's Department of Environmental Protection.
The Cannonsville and Pepacton reservoirs Thursday into Sunday will release extra water to aid the annual "One Bug" fly fishing event in Hancock, New York, the DEP said.
Although it's been dry recently, the New York reservoirs are just below average levels -- or about 96 percent of capacity, the DEP said.
The reservoirs were due to decrease releases to 150 cubic feet per second at Cannonsville and 75 cubic feet per second at Pepacton due to dry conditions and gradually declining storage, the DEP said. But into Sunday, Cannonsville will let out 400 cubic feet per second and Pepacton will release 85 cubic feet per second, the DEP said.
"We hope the release of additional water from Cannonsville Reservoir and Pepacton Reservoir will provide beneficial fishing conditions for the anglers participating in the One Bug event, and provide a considerable boost for the local economy," city DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd said in the news release. "... With water available in the city's system, DEP thought it was prudent to propose these extra releases and support our downstream neighbors."
The states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania signed off on the idea, the DEP said.
While capacity reservoir levels and subsequent releases have been blamed for Delaware River floods in Easton, the river is currently at 2.10 feet at the Easton-Phillipsburg toll bridge. Flood stage is 22 feet and real damage doesn't begin until several feet above that level.
The reservoirs provide drinking water to New York City and releases are overseen by the impacted states, the DEP said.
This post was updated to correct the figures for the release rates.
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.