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Water Level Worries Persist for Some, But Not All

Story Published: Jul 29, 2012 at 7:25 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2012 at 7:25 PM EDT

Next weekend, the Black River in Lewis county is usually filled with hundreds of canoers and kayakers rowing in RiverFest.  But this year, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce says it's a no-go. 

"The level of the water in the river is just way too low. Its too dangerous for people. We don't want to see anybody get hurt. We don't want to see them do damage to their kayaks or canoes," explained Donna Stenoski, the associate director for the Chamber of Commerce.

Because of the lack of rain, the river bed and objects that would normally be well underwater could damage the bottom of boats. 

To make things worse, the rain we just had, ironically, made the shoreline too muddy to dock boats.

Although the water levels are too low for canoers and kayakers in Lewis County, in Watertown, boaters say they're not having much of a problem.

"It's still enough water to get down the river and you can probably go a little lower," said Bryan Hartman of the Hudson River Rafting Company.

The difference has to do with the width of the river. 

The section of the Black River in Lewis county where Riverfest was to be held is nearly double the width of the section rafters use in Watertown. 

A greater width equals less depth. 

And in Watertown, Hartman says he's seen worse. 

"The lowest levels I've seen are around 750 to 800 cubic feet per second. Right now we're at around 1600, maybe a little bit more," he said.

In fact, in his nine years with the Hudson River Rafting Company, Hartman has never had to cancel a trip for low water levels. 

As he says, on the Black River, whether water levels are too high or just right - it all depends on where you are.
 
Saturday, May 18, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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