West Canada Creek Flow Changes

[Nessmuk]

I recently read an article concerning the new proposed flow rate schedule for the West Canada Creek, which started October 21st. The new power corporation, Brascan Power, which bought the dam at Hinckley, began blasting water in the morning, choking down the valve in the afternoon, then cranking it back up again in the evening, then tightening it back down overnight. The flow literally changes from 550 CFS to 850 CFS (CFS = cubic feet per second) very quickly. This can't be good for the aquatic life in the river!! DEC has already been quoted as saying the company is within their rights....they sell their power on the open market, so the mornings and evenings are the times when the demand is high. This will no doubt take its toll on the great fishery that has been established below the dam.....Before Brascan Power bought the Hydro dam the creek fluctuated flows only about two times a week!

I know some of you folks fish this water and may be interested in these disturbing changes. Have any of you fished this stream recently and noticed any changes? I have not fished it since June.....I tend to seek out less popular places miles upstream from the dam...smaller fish but less people....just the way I like it! There was a good article on the flow changes in the New York Outdoor News...this article is also urging anglers to call the Power Corp and DEC to voice their concerns.

[serotonin]

I recently read an article concerning the new proposed flow rate schedule for the West Canada Creek, which started October 21st. The new power corporation, Brascan Power, which bought the dam at Hinckley, began blasting water in the morning, choking down the valve in the afternoon, then cranking it back up again in the evening, then tightening it back down overnight. The flow literally changes from 550 CFS to 850 CFS (CFS = cubic feet per second) very quickly. This can't be good for the aquatic life in the river!! DEC has already been quoted as saying the company is within their rights....they sell their power on the open market, so the mornings and evenings are the times when the demand is high. This will no doubt take its toll on the great fishery that has been established below the dam.....Before Brascan Power bought the Hydro dam the creek fluctuated flows only about two times a week!

I know some of you folks fish this water and may be interested in these disturbing changes. Have any of you fished this stream recently and noticed any changes? I have not fished it since June.....I tend to seek out less popular places miles upstream from the dam...smaller fish but less people....just the way I like it! There was a good article on the flow changes in the New York Outdoor News...this article is also urging anglers to call the Power Corp and DEC to voice their concerns.

There was a meeting a few hours ago.

There are some subtle environmental issues, and some complicated political ones.
I'm still digesting...
Jack Hassey from the DEC was very well-spoken.

There were a number of Fishing Organizations present
(as well as some land-owners).

Without getting into their internal politics,
which I know little about,
I will say one thing, that should concern all interested parties:

The demand for water by the Casino, seems to me,
to be the single-most drastic change confronting the health of this river.

Then factor in the changes being made by the power company.
Then factor in the changes that mother nature makes on her own.
Things may go well for a year or two, and then under the right (wrong) conditions, the entire health of this river can be devastated.

In one day, it can become irreversible.

Having said that, I believe that there is a solution,
but the likely-hood of it being devised and implemented,
let alone agreed upon is slim.

Forgive me for being so general here,
but there are many angles and details to this total subject.
If you are concerned, watch carefully.

Better yet, voice your concern to Brascan Power and the DEC, as Nessmuk suggests... as well as your congressman, assembly-person, and governor.
E-mails and personal letters apparently work better than form-letters.

I know that this can cut into your fishing time,
but most of us aren't fishing right now anyhow.

This river has taken decades to recover.
We now have fishing/canoeing/kayaking possibilities, too numerous to mention
Let's call a spade a spade: The dam itself has made this possible, as well as
the stewardship of many people, including the previous power companies.

Let's not see this go to waste.

[sacco]

so in your opinion, did jack think the change in flow was more likey a good, bad, indeterminate thing for the river?

[serotonin]

so in your opinion, did jack think the change in flow was more likey a good, bad, indeterminate thing for the river?

Scott...
There is no short answer.
(I think that you can appreciate that).

I'll try to pass along what I gathered, as soon as I can....

Steve.

[HCCA]

Hang on to your hats gents, I have sent a letter of concern to every legislator that comes close to the creek as well as the commissioner of the DEC and the Governor.As of now one has replied and there will be a public discussion in Herkimer county coming soon.Watch the papers in the coming months for more details and action on this one.