Author
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Bryant, Ray |
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Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2009 Publication Date: 9/14/2009 Citation: Bryant, R.B. 2009. Urban/rural connections: the New York City watershed. From Dust Bowl to Mud Bowl: Sedimentation, Conservation Measures and the Future of Reservoirs, Final Program and Abstract Book. p. 28. Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required. Technical Abstract: The Cannonsville Reservoir, which was placed in service in 1964, is a major component of the unfiltered New York City water supply system. This year, the Watershed Agricultural Program marks a 17-year history of collaboration among producers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Delaware County (NY) Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. The original objective of this voluntary, incentive-based program was to address the problem of phosphorus (P) loading effects on water quality through implementation of whole farm plans for watershed farms. Collaborative Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University research documented the effectiveness of conservation practices that have reduced soluble P loss at the watershed outlet by 10%. Following several years of success in attaining water quality goals and the advent of a major flood in 2006, conservation program priorities were expanded to include sediment control. New York City continues annual funding for conservation measures even as water quality measures improve and is supportive of efforts to reduce sediment loading to the reservoir. However, the flood was a sobering reminder of the power of the forces of nature and the limited ability of conservation measures to control these natural forces. Although there is no doubt that the reservoir and aquaduct system has proven to be a very cost-effective means of providing a clean water supply to over eight million residents of New York City, the sedimentation rate that plays a major role in determining the life of the Cannonsville Reservoir may depend more on the original choice of location than on any effort to control sedimentation, even though the available resources would be the envy of any conservation program. |
