1/24/2025
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtny.us
January 24, 2025 1020 am EST
Tracking with the drought map for potential impact on drinking water supplies
Streamflow Situation from the network of USGS river monitors in NY
Real-time streamflow readings are collected and averaged over seven consecutive days, then compared with historic 7-day averages for the same time period in prior years. When the 7-day average falls below the seasonal normal for a given monitoring site, the drought map shows the impacted watershed that is becoming depleted in measured water levels. The consistent tracking and reporting of the drought map makes sense for those concerned with drinking water supply and quality. Ratings begin at "below normal", and as time goes on and water monitors continue below normal, the drought rating escalates to moderate hydrologic drought, then on to severe and the most serious drought classification, extreme drought. Note the national drought tracking system has one additional category beyond extreme drought, an indicator for wildfire risk. For our purposes here, we track the drought map in order to identify those watersheds where municipal drinking water supplies may be subject to more than the usual challenges.
Extended periods of drought in a given watershed often precede water conservation measures. In some cases, consistent attention to the drought trends point to those areas where municipal drinking water systems fail due to low water levels, as seen in Whitehall, NY late last year. The same tracking rationale applies to flood conditions and hazardous spills. By observing extreme low flows, floods and spills by watershed, it is possible to identify where there may be increased stress on groundwater wells and surface water supplies. Keep coming back to the front page map, enable the watershed layer with directional arrows to visualize the water impact zone for drought, flood and spills.
Severe drought conditions continue 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 remain below normal, today joined by the Lower Hudson River watershed and Susquehanna River watershed, below normal. Upstate west, below normal rating is applied to all of Genesee River, 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 and Ramapo Rivers remain below normal. 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.
The warming trend continues, a little warmer in NYC than yesterday morning, 25 F getting up to 32 in the sunshine Friday. Binghamton reports overcast, 17 degrees under increasingly cloudy skies with a high similar to yesterday, 24 F. Upstate north, a clear sunny day and 8 degrees, the projected high just 16F at Massena International - Richards Field, a total reprieve from hazardous weather conditions statewide.
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.
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