Water levels drop as rainfall decreases Expert says conservation key during the coming months

Staff Writer

By charles w. kim

Water levels drop as rainfall decreases
Expert says
conservation key during the coming months


FARRAH MAFFAI   Wood pilings in Farrington Lake rise above the water line because of the recent drought. The pilings are usually covered with water, according to local fishermen.FARRAH MAFFAI Wood pilings in Farrington Lake rise above the water line because of the recent drought. The pilings are usually covered with water, according to local fishermen.

The short, steady rain experienced last weekend may have helped, but more is needed, according to a local expert.

Keith Arnesen, an assistant state climatologist in the Meteorology Group of the Environmental Sciences Department of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, said Monday that the area needs more than last week’s showers to help fill falling reservoirs.

"We are not saying that the sky is falling, but reservoir levels are falling," Arnesen said.

Arnesen said that the state is currently experiencing a short-term drought because of limited rainfall to the area since June.

"If it continues through spring, we could be in serious shape," Arnesen said.

Arnesen said that so far this year, a weather station in New Brunswick has logged 37.06 inches of precipitation.

That number is just less than the 37.68 inches recorded in 2000 but is still less than normal and is causing levels in many reservoirs and lakes to fall noticeably.

Arnesen, who has worked in the department for 20 years, said that the present drought is not uncommon to the climate here in New Jersey and that above average rainfall during the winter will help the situation.

"We have had several short-term droughts during the last five-year period," Arnesen said, adding, "We can use all the help we can get."

According to Arnesen, the rainfall started to dry up in June and continued during the peak demand months.

"July was the first month we were below normal. It is also the highest month for demand and evaporation," Arnesen said.

Arnesen said that the state experienced a "multiyear drought" during the early and mid 1960s.

He also said that reservoir levels have not increased with the rapidly growing population in the region.

During his tenure at the department, Arnesen said that sometimes these droughts can be overcome in a short amount of time, but that is not a normal occurrence.

"There is no set script. It is usually a gradual process," he said.

Arnesen pointed to the end of the 1998-1999 drought.

That drought ended abruptly when tropical storm Floyd drenched the area with 8-12 inches of rain literally overnight.

"It did have a silver lining, despite the destruction. That pretty much took care of the drought," Arnesen said.

Arnesen said that the present situation comes at a psychologically bad time because people are not looking at water use as much during colder weather.

"People are not as drought conscious now. They don’t notice it as much. There is no guarantee we will get precipitation this winter," Arnesen said.

He explained that long-range predictions are not always accurate and that people should conserve now.

"People need to voluntarily conserve now. Conservation should be the word. Don’t waste it," Arnesen said, adding that people should reduce running water while doing things like brushing teeth and shaving.

"It is like a bank account. If you keep making withdrawals without any deposits, you will be in the red pretty soon," he said.

Arnesen said that as long as the winter is wet, the situation should improve.

"If we are near normal throughout this winter, we will be OK," he said.