1/23/2025
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtny.us
January 23, 2025 831 am EST
Drought expanding in the south
Streamflow Situation from the network of USGS river monitors in NY
About ten degrees warmer overnight, it is fair in NYC, 20 F and heading for a high of 30, not quite ready to thaw yet, but better than yesterday. Binghamton reports overcast, 9 degrees with a high of 25, considerably improved from yesterday. It is warmer upstate north, Massena International - Richards Field conditions are overcast and 17F with a high 21 and scattered snow showers starting mainly after 9am, up to an inch of snow possible through the day, more snow showers are possible tonight, mainly before 11pm, another half inch is possible.
Streamflows remain below seasonal normal statewide, a great number of stations are now ice impacted and giving no rating based on historic average. In the southeast, where streams and rivers are still ice-free, streamflow ratings below the tenth percentile are most common, including Ramapo and Lower Hudson River watershed along with Long Island Sound watershed.
Drought is indicated when the 7-day average surface water levels drop below historic average for a period of time. The lower below historic average and prolonged time below average, the more serious the drought rating. Severe drought continues in Lower Hudson River's Putnam and north Westchester Counties with adjacent area in south Westchester rated moderate drought. Rockland and Orange Counties in the Ramapo and Lower Hudson River watersheds have recovered from moderate drought to a below normal rating. The below normal rated area has expanded from the upper Genesee River watershed to include all of Genesee River watershed, along with the Lake Ontario minor tributaries west and central sections, Oswego River - Finger Lakes watershed in west central NYS. For the south flowing watersheds, Chemung River, Allegheny River, Delware and Ramapo Rivers are rated below normal. Susquehanna River watershed remains unrated. The entire northeast drainage basin and the upper end of the central basin are unrated on the drought map. There are no active floods and no high flows; extreme low flows can be found on the front page map with the red-brown tags.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Oswego County: The Town of Scriba endured two water main breaks on Tuesday during the cold spell. City Line Rd and County Route 4 saw the rupture of water mains with the resulting loss of pressure impacting all connections. Residents are urged to boil water intended for consumption and brushing teeth, the advisory could last until Friday.
Scriba WD chlorinates and distributes potable water purchased from another facility in Oswego County to a population of 9044. The EPA compliance record is neat and tidy, no violations or non-compliance noted as of the last verified reporting cycle. The raw water source is surface water in the Lake Ontario minor tributaries watershed, east section.
The new Serious Violator list is out, 56 drinking water facilities listed with significant violations of the SDWA as of Sep 30, 2024. The new summary report is in progress. See the stats for the prior quarter, how drinking water facility compliance compares in Ohio, New York, Georgia, Louisiana and California, here.
|
|
|
