By Paul Swartz, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Fall is a time of change when our thoughts shift from swimming and backyard barbecues to foliage, pumpkins and cooler, refreshing temperatures. One thing that did not change from summer is the drought that continues to develop and impact many areas of the Susquehanna River Basin.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission urges citizens and businesses to remain mindful of the drought and heed existing calls for voluntary water conservation. Drought declarations remain in effect for many counties in Pennsylvania, and several private and public water supplies have mandatory or voluntary conservation requirements in affect.

With outdoor water usage on the decline this time of the year, some examples of indoor household water conservation measures and their benefits include:

· Repairing a leaking toilet will conserve up to 200 gallons per day.

· Repairing a leaking faucet will conserve up to 11 gallons per day.

· Installing a low-flow toilet will conserve nearly 2 gallons per flush.

· Installing a low-flow shower will conserve from 1 to 7.5 gallons per minute.

In many areas of the Susquehanna basin, conditions are declining, not improving. As evidence, the Commission received requests in late September for emergency water withdrawal approvals from two Pennsylvania municipalities – Lock Haven and Houtzdale – facing potential water supply shortages if additional supplies are not secured. A few rivers and streams in Pennsylvania and Maryland are teetering near critical low flow thresholds at which modified drought operations kick-in at several facilities regulated by the Commission. In Maryland, the central region, which includes counties in the Susquehanna basin, are designated as “drought watch” on the Maryland Department of the Environment web site. In New York, groundwater and surface water levels continue to decline, especially in the Chemung subbasin region.

Unfortunately, the outlook for the rest of the year, according to the National Weather Service in State College, does not indicate a shift to a wetter weather pattern. Whereas past droughts have often ended by the influences of tropical storms, current weather patterns indicate the Susquehanna basin is not likely to receive much in the way of tropical moisture.

During the last prolonged drought that spanned from 1997 through early 2002, several important lessons were learned. Drought declarations are only effective if the public is aware of and understands them. To that end, the Commission heads an important drought coordinating committee comprised of water management officials from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the federal government.

Committee members convene when drought conditions emerge and remain active for the duration of a drought. As in past drought years, members follow a set of established drought indicators and protocols identified in the Susquehanna River Basin Drought Coordination Plan. They exchange technical information on drought conditions in their respective jurisdictions and discuss if drought response actions should be activated.

For more information on the committee, the coordination plan and links to important hydrologic information, I invite you to visit the Commission’s website.

Paul Swartz is Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Comission.

NewsClips: Dry, Dry Season in Central Susquehanna Valley

Devastating Drought

Water Woes Leaving Farmers High and Dry

Carbon, Schuylkill Among 17 in USDA Disaster Declaration

10/5/2007