Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2006–November 30, 2007

Open-File Report 2011-1239
By: , and 

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Abstract

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered June 7, 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 54th Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2007 River Master report year—the period from December 1, 2006, to November 30, 2007. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 46.72 inches (in.) or 107 percent of the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs was high on December 1, 2006. Reservoir storage remained high throughout the winter, declined seasonally during the summer, and began to recover in mid-October. Delaware River operations throughout the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in full compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 123 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates—or rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs—on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 19 sites on a twice–monthly basis and at 3 sites on a monthly basis.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2006–November 30, 2007
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2011-1239
DOI 10.3133/ofr20111239
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geologlical Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of the Delaware River Master
Description vi, 71 p.; Appendices
Time Range Start 2006-12-01
Time Range End 2007-11-30
Country United States
State Delaware;Pennsylvania;New York
Other Geospatial Delaware River Basin
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details