NEWS RELEASE

Susquehanna River Basin Commission
1721 North Front Street - Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391 - Ph: (717) 238-0423 - Fax: (717) 238-2436

CONTACT: Susan Obleski, Director of Communications sobleski@srbc.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SRBC EARMARKS MORE THAN $15,000 ANNUALLY
TO ENHANCE THREE STREAM GAGES IN NEW YORK STATE

HARRISBURG (Jan. 30) - The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service, recently earmarked $15,840 to upgrade three stream gages in the New York portion of the Susquehanna basin. This action also includes a commitment-estimated to exceed $15,000 annually-to cover the costs of maintaining the upgrades. The three New York stream gages, which are operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, are located on the:
• Unadilla River at Rockdale, Chenango County
• Susquehanna River at Waverly, Tioga County
• Tuscarora Creek near South Addison, Steuben County

The upgrades will help enhance the state's overall streamflow monitoring capabilities, which, in recent years, have experienced cutbacks due to budget shortfalls.

John Hicks, SRBC New York commissioner, noted that the gages will now be equipped to provide continuous streamflow data.

"The upgrades will enhance local flood monitoring efforts by providing flood managers a more complete picture during flood events," said Hicks. "They will now know just how much flood waters are coming from the different tributaries."

"The Upper Susquehanna and Chemung regions are some of the most flood-prone areas in the Susquehanna basin," said Hicks. "Timely and accurate flood warnings can literally mean the difference between life and death."

According to Paul Swartz, SRBC Executive Director, the Commission was able to earmark the annual funds in its capacity as the coordinating agency of the Interagency Committee on the Susquehanna River Basin Flood Forecast and Warning System. This committee is comprised of representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the states of New York and Pennsylvania.

Swartz said, "It's extremely gratifying for SRBC and the Interagency Committee to be able to help the state of New York enhance its local flood monitoring capabilities and overall streamflow monitoring program."

Swartz said, "SRBC will continue to look for other opportunities to assist the state in its flood management program."

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is the governing agency established under a 100-year compact signed on Dec. 24, 1970 by the federal government and the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland to protect and wisely manage the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin. The Susquehanna River starts in Cooperstown, N.Y., and flows 444 miles to Havre de Grace, Md., where the river meets the Chesapeake Bay.