Analysis of stream-temperature variations in the Upper Delaware River Basin, New York

The effect of climatologic conditions and reservoir releases on downstream conditions was determined by means of statistical and graphical analyses of stream-temperature variations measured in the upper Delaware River basin, May-September 1964-67. Climatologic conditions normally increase water temperatures from February through July and decrease them from August through January. Summer releases from New York City's Cannonsville Reservoir were observed to decrease water temperatures by 13?C (Celsius) in 8.1 miles and by 1?C, 55.9 miles downstream from this reservoir. Releases from New York City's Pepacton Reservoir were observed to decrease water temperatures by 11?C in 31.0 miles and between 1?-3?C in 71.0 miles downstream from this reservoir. The influence of releases from these reservoirs is dependent upon five factors: thermal stratification in the reservoir, depth at which water is withdrawn from the reservoir, rate of release, distance downstream from the reservoir, and climatologic conditions.