HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania's largest watershed, is experiencing a concerning drop in water levels, prompting alarm among environmental experts.
Ben Pratt, a water resources engineer at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, noted that the current low levels are part of a seasonal trend but are exacerbated by widespread drought conditions this year.
“The river is very low right now,” Pratt stated, pointing out that the late summer and early fall months are typically when flows are at their lowest. “July, August, September, October and November are the times of the year when we see the lowest flows, so it's not unexpected.”
However, this year's decline is particularly stark. Since August, the Susquehanna has suffered a significant decrease in water level, with reports indicating a loss of approximately 10.52 feet in Harrisburg. This drop is notable when compared to river levels recorded over the last 134 years, according to Pratt.
“We had a pretty wet August, and even into September we had some rainfall, and then things dried out really quickly, so that’s really what’s driving the low flow conditions right now,” Pratt said.
The data paints a worrying picture, with current flow levels placing the river in the 10th percentile, according to Pratt. This means that over the last 134 years, the recorded flows were higher 90 percent of the time than the water height being observed in the Susquehanna now.
With less water, some parts of the river pose a risk to individuals looking to participate in recreational activities. Fishing and kayaking could be interrupted by exposed rocks usually covered by water.
Lower than-average river levels are putting pressure on precipitation in the region.
“I think we’re looking for Mother Nature to provide us with above-normal rainfall for a period of time so we can get conditions back to normal,” Pratt remarked. As winter approaches, a considerable snowpack could also serve to replenish the watershed. However, Pratt states that similar to current rain conditions, snow could be scarce this winter.
He added that the responsibility does not rest solely on the weather. Residents of Pennsylvania are urged to conserve water when they can.
“It’s on all of our shoulders to be responsible users of the resource,” Pratt emphasized.
The Susquehanna is a crucial source of drinking water for millions of Pennsylvanians and plays an essential role in supplying industry. To mitigate the impact of the low water levels, Pratt suggests taking practical conservation measures around the home, such as taking shorter showers and reducing laundry loads.
“Times like these suggest that we should be using less, and I would suggest that we do that,” he advised, emphasizing the importance of nature and communities working together to keep the major watershed healthy for the future.
With ongoing drought conditions throughout south-central Pennsylvania, many municipalities mandated restricted water use among community members. Currently, York County residents are prohibited from using water for non-essential purposes, like watering lawns, washing cars and even operating fountains. Other areas have issued voluntary water reduction notices to counteract the lack of rainfall.