Syracuse.com - Utility company urges caution while recreating on Oswego River and other waterways

[HuntingNY-News]

As of 11 a.m. this morning, the Oswego River was flowing at 12,600 cubic feet per second.

Brookfield Renewable Energy urged caution today for individuals recreating (boating and fishing) on the Oswego River and other waterways. As of 11 a.m. this morning, the Oswego River was flowing at 12,600 cubic feet per second.

A press release from the utility company today reads:

Brookfield Renewable Energy urges the public to use caution when recreating on or near water as unusually high precipitation has caused waters to rise and create high flow conditions. Brookfield advises people to avoid all dams as spillage and open flood gates can be dangerous.

"We are currently experiencing unusually high flow levels in many rivers in New York State, including the Raquette, Oswego and Hudson Rivers. Due to heavy rain and expected additional rainfall we urge people to stay off the rivers," said Jeff Auser, Brookfield's Chief Dam Safety Officer.

"To stay safe, if you recreate on or near the water, we ask that people use extra caution, observe all signage, warning signals, sirens and barriers, and wear a United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket," he added.

Safety Tips

Brookfield offers the following water safety tips:

1.Use extreme caution when recreating on moving water as weather conditions can change rapidly.

2.Be prepared for runoff and flooding as rain has been unusually high this season causing waters to rise and creating unsafe flow levels.

3. Avoid areas such as dams, intake structures, gates, water conveyance structures, powerhouses and electrical substations.

4. Stay away from overhead power lines at all times, as these bare conductors are very dangerous.

5. Respect all warning signs, sirens, buoys, booms, barriers and fences. Areas inside these barriers are dangerous and are designated as no-entry zones.

6. Use only designated recreation and access areas. Do not trespass on Brookfield Renewable Energy's or other private properties that are excluded from public access.

7. Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

8. Be aware that high water levels may persist days after rain events.

9. Never recreate near a river alone; always tell someone where you are going to be and when you are expected to return.

10. Take the time to learn about daily river conditions before recreating. If you are unfamiliar with the river, review USGS Streamflow information or ask someone with local knowledge.

Another source of up-to-date information is the website Waterline,

which includes information on the following rivers, among others:

Androscoggin Riv, Pontook Dam at Dummer, NH

Black River at Beebe Island Dam, Watertown, NY

Raquette River at Colton Dam, Colton, NY

Raquette River at Hannawa Dam, Hannawa Falls, NY

Raquette River at Piercefield Dam, Piercefield, NY

Raquette River at Sugar Island Dam, Potsdam, NY

Sacandaga at Stewarts Bridge Dam, Lake Luzerne, NY

Salmon River at Lighthouse Hill Dam, Altmar, NY

St Regis River at Parishville Dam, Parishville, NY

St Regis River at Allen's Falls Dam, Parishville, NY

West Canada Creek at Trenton Falls Powerhouse, Barneveld, NY

ating on Water Following Unusually High Precipitation 12:22 PM

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog