Oswego River Basin

What is the Oswego River Basin?

The Oswego River Basin is located in Central New York. It encompasses the Erie Canal from Macedon to Rome and the Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego Canals. It drains a total area of 5,122 square miles into Lake Ontario. The area of the basin is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

{ a map showing the New York State Canal System within the Oswego River Basin New York }

Who is responsible for maintaining water levels of the Canal System within the Oswego River Basin?

The Canal Corporation's Syracuse Division Canal Office is responsible for maintaining water levels of the Canal System within the Oswego River Basin for navigational purposes.

Does the Canal Corporation try to minimize flood damage?

Lake-level regulation efforts are aimed at minimizing flood damage within the entire Oswego River Basin. Typically, following the navigation season, the system's water levels are lowered to provide storage for spring snowmelt and storm runoff. Prior to navigation season, water levels are raised gradually to predetermined safe levels for summer use. In the summer, levels are regulated to provide reserve capacity sufficient to contain moderate runoff. Seasonal lake levels and other important factors such as maximum and minimum navigation levels are indicated on graphs called "rule curves" that depict ideal levels for each lake.

High Water Levels	Flood
	Water Supply for all uses Drinking water Sewage plants Critical Habitat Navigation Irrigation
	·
Low Water Levels	Flood Mitigation
No Water	No Drinking Water No Navigation Severe Damage to Critical Habitat

Rule curves are the historical compromise for water level management that have been established to balance competing interests for target water levels. The rule curve process starts by establishing the top and bottom of the curves (highest tolerable level, lowest tolerable level) to avoid at all costs severe flooding or severe drought conditions. Within that range, navigation levels and municipal water supply are given the highest priorities to ensure a stable, reliable water supply throughout low water summer months. Critical habitat concerns also drive target levels toward the high side of the range to ensure against damage to delicate natural resources.

In order to avoid floods, demand for high levels must be balanced against the effects on property owners. Typically, floods are brought on by:

Rapid spring snowmelt/runoff
Heavy spring rains/heavy runoff
Heavy fall rains before the winter freeze.

To deal with these acts of nature, water levels are raised/lowered within tolerable limits by season.

FALL – At the close of the navigation season, water levels are drawn down for storage capacity anticipating spring runoff.
WINTER – The lowest water level on the system can be achieved mindful of water supply needs.
SPRING – Storage capacity is maintained as long as possible to accept heavy runoffs, but gradual system increases must be undertaken to ensure target levels are reached for summer low water condition needs.
SUMMER – Competing needs must be balanced with the available water supply.

For additional information on water management of the NYS Canal System contact: Syracuse Division Canal Office, Water Management (315) 437-2741.