HORTONVILLE, NY — As Hurricane Florence approached the Carolinas and more rain fell in New York, a representative from the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) visited the Delaware town meeting Wednesday to discuss rising water levels in reservoirs surrounding the town.

“This is no revelation, but there’s a lot of water,” said Harold Roeder of the UDC, a river conservation and management body created to protect the river and the landowners along it. Outside, rain continued to drench the little white municipal building in Hortonville.

Roeder brought along a report on New York reservoirs compiled by the Delaware River Basin Commission. As of September 10, the three reservoirs nearest this area—Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink—were at an average of 92% capacity. There are currently 21 billion more gallons of water in the reservoirs than the long-term median for this time of year, which is based on data from as far back as 1967.

Sullivan County has been plagued by heavy rainfall this summer. Businesses and homes were damaged in early August as flash flooding hit the area. Pete Golod, the UDC resource specialist, said rainfall within the last month has already caused the reservoirs to spill over. He speculated that could happen again with incoming rain.

“[The data] is very important,” said Roeder, “A little place like Callicoon, or Hankins, or Long Eddy, could get wiped out if there’s too much water.”

Roeder’s briefing on other items on the UDC’s agenda included a warning about an approaching swarm of spotted lanternflies (see the TRR article at https://bit.ly/2NRmm7P), which cause considerable damage to fruit trees and vegetation, and recent tension with the National Park Service.

Other guests of the board Wednesday night included John Karkula of the Callicoon Beautification Committee and a representative from the Callicoon Business Association (CBA).

After a successful tourist summer in town, Karkula said the committee is turning its attention to the park. He asked if it would be possible to get public works involved in hauling a truckload of soil to the park. Edward Sykes said he would ask the highway department for help.

The CBA is getting ready for the annual Callicoon Art Walk on October 6, which will include dance performances and live music.