Delaware River Basin Commission

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1 Delaware River Basin Commission Background and Mission of WMAC WMAC Meeting June 16, 2015 Photo by David B. Soete

A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure US Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Fast Facts: Delaware River Main stem river is 330 miles long

population) rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin Drains 13,539 square miles in 4 states. Water withdrawal in the Basin = 8.

2 A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure US Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Fast Facts: Delaware River Main stem river is 330 miles long Delaware River forms an interstate boundary over its entire length 15+ million people (about 5% of the U.S. population) rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin Drains 13,539 square miles in 4 states. Water withdrawal in the Basin = 8.7 billion gallons/day Significant Exports: NYC (up to 800 MGD) and NJ (up to 100 MGD) Longest, un dammed U.S. river east of the Mississippi (dams are located on tributaries, not the main stem Delaware) Contributes over $21B in economic value to the region.

3 Delaware River Basin Commission Founded by Compact in 1961 Five Equal Members: Delaware New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Federal Government Note: New York City and Philadelphia are advisors and not members

4 Why was the DRBC created? Water supply shortages and disputes over the apportionment of the basin s waters; Severe pollution in the Delaware River and its major tributaries; Serious flooding

5 The Need for Basin Scale Planning and Management 4 States 42 Counties 838 Municipalities Exports to NY City & NJ

6 Delaware River Basin Commission Managing our shared Basin water resources. Built on a shared and foundational commitment in the Delaware River Basin Compact to: Manage complex interstate water resource systems and needs. Collaborate with members on shared waters management issues from headwaters to the Ocean. Adapt to achieve mission results. Balance progress and protection. Partner to achieve for the Basin, what individual members cannot achieve alone. 6

7 DRBC Advisory Committees Flood Regulated Flow Water Management Toxics Water Quality Monitoring Advisory & Coordination

8 DRBC Primary Functional Responsibilities Water Supply Drought Management Flood Loss Reduction Water Quality Watershed Planning Regulatory Review (Permitting) Outreach/Education Recreation

Core Water Supply Planning Question Can the Delaware River Basin support the following objectives during a repeat of the drought of record (or greater)?

9 Core Water Supply Planning Question Can the Delaware River Basin support the following objectives during a repeat of the drought of record (or greater)?: Meet flow management targets at Montague NJ and Trenton, NJ Keep the salt line at targeted river miles so as to not impact drinking water supplies, aquifers, and industrial uses. Support overall basin demands with required levels of drought related demand management.

10 Simplified Water Management Schematic for the Delaware River Basin Jadwin F.E. Walter 35 BG Out of Basin Diversion Primarily Water Supply Reservoirs Multi Purpose (Flood/Water Supply) Reservoirs Primarily Flood Control Reservoir Flow Management Objective Release or Spill Blue Marsh Prompton 8 BG Outflow 7 BG or Spill Beltzville 22 BG Total 13 BG for Water Supply 16 BG Total 6.5 BG for Water Supply Release or Spill Release or Spill USACE Owned and Operated Reservoirs Outflow or Spill Note: Not all reservoirs, tributaries, and diversions are shown. LACKAWAXEN RIVER LEHIGH RIVER Release or Spill Montague SCHUYLKILL RIVER Release or Spill Trenton Cannonsville Release or Spill 96 BG Pepacton 140 BG Neversink 35 BG Inflow Diversion Inflow Diversion DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL Inflow Diversion DELAWARE RIVER ESTUARY and Salt Line To NYC Water Supply Up to 800 MGD Non Drought Target = 1750 cfs (1130 MGD) To New Jersey Water Supply Up t0 100 MGD Non Drought Target = 3000 cfs (1940 MGD)

11 300 Consumptive Use Trends Bold lines indicate 12 month moving average of consumptive use Million Gallons per Day Combined Thermoelectric Public Water Industrial Water 0

12 Mega Trends and Other Emerging Planning Issues Demographics: Changes and Shifts Climate Change: Sea level rise, frequency and intensity of storms and droughts Energy Water Nexus Possible Shale Gas Development Energy and Water Efficiency Note: 4.62 mm/yr = 1.5 ft/100 years

WMAC Created: Resolution 98 21 Ground Water Advisory Committee (1982) Water

13 WMAC Created: Resolution Ground Water Advisory Committee (1982) Water Conservation Advisory Committee (1983) Water Management Advisory Committee (1998)

14 Purpose of WMAC Water demand and consumptive use forecasting Implementation of water conservation regulations Models and methods for characterizing groundwater flow and instream flow needs Protocol for review of integrated resource plans Recommendations for the conduct of watershed based plans

15 20 WMAC Representatives: a) State of Delaware b) State of New Jersey c) State of New York d) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania e) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers f) U.S. EPA g) U.S. Geological Survey h) City of New York i) City of Philadelphia j) County Water Agency k) Water Resources Association l) Industry m) Water Utility n) Agriculture o) League of Women Voters or other Civic Organization p) Environmental Organization q) Watershed Organization r) Academia s) Recreation t) Fisheries

16 WMAC Focal Areas & Accomplishments Data Capture / Needs GWPA / IRP Guidance Basin Plan Water Audit / Conservation Reclaimed Water Use Instream Flows Review State AAs Inter/Intra basin transfers Groundwater availability/ Water Budgets Water Use Trends Water Demand Forecasting Water Supply Planning

17 Examples

18 WMAC Future Engagements Groundwater Management in the DRB (Oct. mtg) Water Efficiency Water Supply 2060 Your suggestions

Long Island: Water Resources. Water Sayings. Water Issues. Water Quality Issues specific to LI Coastal Areas. Agriculture and Water Regulation

Long Island: Water Resources. Water Sayings. Water Issues. Water Quality Issues specific to LI Coastal Areas. Agriculture and Water Regulation Water Sayings Long Island: Water Resources Copyright 2011 AFG 1 All living things need water to survive after air. Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. The quality of water is just as important