12/30/2024
WT Staff
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December 30, 2024 1036 am EST
Record high streamflows feeding the Ashokan Reservoir
Streamflow Situation from the network of USGS river monitors in NY
Record high water level is recorded in Esopus Creek today at Allaben, the highest water level in 60 years at 5.21 ft. Water level began to rise rapidly yesterday afternoon, still rising at the time of this report. USGS provides no flood stage for this site in the middle channel of Esopus Creek. According to a 2007 Resolution of the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, "The Esopus Creek ... has experienced ecosystem degradation and flood damages due to erosion, sedimentation and bank instability in stream channels." A Reconnaisance Study followed soon after, to investigate flood damage reduction and streambank stabilization in Esopus Creek. By 2022, Esopus Creek middle and lower channels were listed in the EPA Clean Water Act 303d list for turbidity. This matter impacts the drinking water resources of New York City, as Esopus Creek middle channel runs into the Ashokan Reservoir. Turbidity is suspended particulate in the water, this increases risk for microbiological contamination and additional treatment process to reach potability.
Record high flows are also found in the Delaware and Lower Hudson River watersheds Monday, with much above seasonal flows continuing in the Niagara River - Lake Erie watershed as reported Saturday. Flows considerably above the 90th percentile found in the St Lawrence, Mohawk and Long Island watersheds. The balance of activity indicates above seasonal, above the 76th percentile. It is too soon for these higher water levels to push the drought ratings down, consequently, Putnam and north Westchester counties are still rated with moderate drought, Lake Ontario minor tributaries west section from Erie to central Monroe is back on the drought map, rated below normal. No active flooding was observed at the time of this report, four stations report 99th percentile high flows. There are no extreme low flows recorded in the reference network.
A few clouds in the city, the high today around 59 degrees. Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow evening, up to three quarters of an inch possible. Light rain, 42 degrees in the west, the report from NWS Binghamton local forecast center calling for a 30 % chance of showers between noon and 4pm, wind gusts as high as 22 mph. Fog in the north, 40 degrees at Massena International - Richards Field airport, heading for a high of 50. NWS forecast center at Burlington VT says showers are likely today, mainly after 3pm, accompanied by a southwest wind 20 gusting to 38 mph. Showers are likely again tonight before 1 am, the wind still gusting up to 39 mph.
Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by NWS Burlington VT 309 am Mon Dec 30
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST SUNDAY...
A period of gusty southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts 40 to 50
mph are expected between 4 PM and 10 PM today across the St Lawrence Valley and portions of the northern Adirondack Mountains. A few power outages are possible.
A mix of rain and snow will develop early Wednesday morning and continue across the mountains through Thursday. A coating to 2 inches of snow is possible in the valley, however a long duration accumulating snowfall event is likely in the mountains. If current forecasts continue headlines will likely be needed for Wednesday through Thursday for parts of the northern Adirondacks in New York.
Impacting
Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Southeastern St. Lawrence-Southwestern St. Lawrence-
Southern Franklin-Western Clinton-Western Essex Counties
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
See how drinking water facility compliance compares in Ohio, New York, Georgia, Louisiana and California, here.
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