Low Flow Inventory

Hoosic/Hudson River Basin

Observations

Very little data exist on stream flow conditions in the Hudson River Watershed in Massachusetts, but a few comments from the 1997 Water Quality Assessment Report indicate that at least a few stream reaches may have low flow problems.

Water Withdrawls Public water supply withdrawals cause an estimated 22% reduction in streamflow on the Hoosic River from the Cheshire Reservoir in Cheshire to the Adams wastewater treatment plant. Streamflow measured by DEP staff in 1997 was always greater than 10 cfs. However, the calculated 7Q10 for this section is 12.63 cfs and DEM recommended a minimum flow threshold of 17.7 cfs for June through August at the Adams USGS stream flow gage just 0.4 miles downstream (#01331500) (1).

Consequences

Aquatic Flora and Fauna During DEP's water quality assessment work in 1997, habitat availability at Kinderhook Creek just upstream of its confluence with Bentley Creek was limited due to low water levels, although good substrate and riffle habitats were present (1).

References & Resources

1. Kennedy, Laurie E. and Mollie J. Weinstein. January 2000. Hudson River 1997 Water Quality Assessment Report, Report Number 11/12/13-AC-1, DWM Control Number 15.0. MA DEP, Bureau of Resource Protection, Division of Watershed Management.
2. USGS Hoosic River at Adams stream gage data.
3. USGS real-time stream gage data for the Hoosic River near Williamstown.