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Water Levels

Check current water levels in the NYS Canals. Stay updated with real-time data to ensure safe navigation and plan your canal trips effectively.
HINCKLEY RESERVOIR

Hinckley Reservoir

The Hinckley Reservoir is located in Herkimer and Oneida Counties approximately 14 miles north of Utica. The Hinckley Reservoir was constructed in the valley formed by West Canada Creek, which flows south out of the Adirondack Mountains and through the reservoir on its route to the Mohawk River at Herkimer. The surface area of Hinckley Reservoir is approximately 4.5 square miles when full and is fed by a drainage area of approximately 372 square miles.

Hinckley Reservoir has an average water depth of about 28 feet and a maximum depth of approximately 75 feet from the spillway crest. When full to the spillway crest, the reservoir has a usable capacity of approximately 25.8 billion gallons.

Hinckley Reservoir was constructed by the State of New York and completed in 1915 for the purpose of supplying water to the Erie Canal. Hinckley Reservoir is owned by the State of New York, presently under the jurisdiction of the New York State Canal Corporation.

Since 2003, the Hinckley Reservoir also serves as the sole source of drinking water for about 130,000 people in the greater Utica area.

Hinckley Downstream Releases

Hinckley Downstream Releases

As of April 1, 2013, the 2012 Operating Diagram will be used to regulate the downstream release of Hinckley Reservoir waters. The 2012 Operating Diagram establishes the rates (in cubic feet per second) at which water is to be discharged from Hinckley Reservoir on a semiweekly basis. The downstream discharge established by the 2012 Operating Diagram reduces as the reservoir level recedes in order to maintain sufficient water in Hinckley Reservoir to maintain canal navigation and other uses. The Operating Diagram also provides for increased reservoir releases as the reservoir level increases to help mitigate downstream flood concerns.

Current Hinckley Levels

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    Current Hinckley Levels

    Hinckley Reservoir Water Levels

    Information on this page provides current data and operating parameters related to ongoing management of Hinckley Reservoir water levels.
    Previous Data

    Date Hinckley Reservoir Elevation (ft) Hinckley Reservoir Comparison to Elevation Trigger (ft)¹ Hinckley Reservoir Comparison to Normal Elevation (ft)² Hinckley Reservoir Discharge (cfs)³ 2012 Operation Diagram Release (cfs)⁴ Hinckley Reservoir Inflow (cfs) Hinckley Reservoir 30-day Running Average Inflow (cfs)⁵ Wilmurt Streamgage Flow (cfs)⁶ Black Creek Flow (cfs) Mohawk Valley Water Authority Withdrawal (cfs)
    12-20 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1157 833 230 N/A
    12-19 1215.4 17.5 1.6 878 870 1646 1126 1130 327 32.8
    12-18 1214.8 16.8 0.8 825 830 2602 1079 1600 501 29.6
    12-17 1213.2 15.2 -1 825 830 1767 1000 1340 433 33.1
    12-16 1212.3 14.3 -2 824 830 975 948 674 216 29.2
    12-15 1212.2 14.2 -2.2 579 570 911 922 689 260 31.4
    12-14 1211.9 13.9 -2.6 574 570 1364 901 923 354 28.6
    12-13 1211.2 13.2 -3.3 577 570 2684 865 1510 713 31.5
    12-12 1209.1 11.1 -5.2 581 570 5433 784 3280 1200 28.8
    12-11 1204 6 -10.1 648 630 3050 613 2240 745 31.7
    12-10 1201.1 3.1 -12.9 639 630 640 519 597 334 28.6
    12-09 1201.2 3.2 -12.8 635 630 440 505 306 111 31.4
    12-08 1201.4 3.4 -12.5 652 660 394 498 262 85 29
    12-07 1201.8 3.7 -12.1 658 660 376 494 260 80 28.8
    12-06 1202.1 4.2 -11.6 663 660 398 491 264 81 29.3
    12-05 1202.5 4.4 -11.2 665 660 439 488 282 73 28.4
    12-04 1202.8 4.8 -11 602 600 374 482 265 85 28.1
    12-03 1203 5 -11 605 600 480 479 318 71 28.3
    12-02 1203.2 5.2 -10.9 603 600 562 474 362 82 27.4
    12-01 1203.3 5.3 -10.7 546 530 547 466 409 94 27.9
    11-30 1203.3 5.3 -10.5 546 530 693 457 501 117 25.8
    11-29 1203.2 5.2 -10.4 544 530 773 441 639 149 27.2
    11-28 1202.9 4.9 -10.5 541 530 1036 424 779 177 26.2
    11-27 1202.4 4.4 -10.7 343 335 1130 397 948 210 27.9
    11-26 1201.4 3.4 -11.6 340 335 678 364 601 154 27.5
    11-25 1201 3 -11.8 350 335 723 348 574 141 28.1
    11-24 1200.6 2.6 -12.1 362 355 979 332 737 199 27.1
    11-23 1199.8 1.9 -12.8 358 355 1367 307 961 302 27.2
    11-22 1198.6 0.6 -13.9 329 355 856 269 752 285 26.2
    11-21 1197.9 -0.1 -14.4 302 355 251 248 210 58 27.1
    11-20 1198 0 -14 302 370 233 249 171 36 27.5
    11-19 1198.1 0.1 -13.8 303 370 216 250 178 38 27.8
    11-18 1198.2 0.2 -13.6 290 0 239 255 176 39 27.9
    11-17 1198.3 0.4 -13.4 304 390 216 260 176 40 26.6
    11-16 1198.5 0.5 -13.1 304 390 197 267 187 42 28.5
    11-15 1198.7 0.7 -12.8 390 390 264 279 196 46 26.5
    11-14 1198.8 0.8 -12.6 391 390 283 293 212 52 27.8
    11-13 1199 1 -12.6 442 440 277 307 N/A N/A 26.6
    11-12 1199.3 1.2 -12.3 443 440 295 311 228 58 28.8
    11-11 1199.5 1.5 -11.9 443 440 238 311 190 44 27.1
    11-10 1199.8 1.8 -11.5 468 480 223 310 179 38 27.2
    11-09 1200.1 2.1 -11 474 480 225 312 188 39 26.8
    11-08 1200.5 2.5 -10.2 478 480 268 312 198 39 27.6
    11-07 1200.8 2.8 -10 522 480 288 310 206 43 26.6
    11-06 1201.1 3.1 -9.5 545 530 309 309 206 42 27.7
    11-05 1201.4 3.4 -9.1 548 530 250 305 208 43 27.1
    11-04 1201.8 3.8 -8.7 552 0 290 303 222 46 27.4
    11-03 1202.1 4.2 -8.2 554 600 331 299 257 54 28.1
    11-02 1202.4 4.4 -8 557 600 331 298 289 57 26.2
    11-01 1202.7 4.7 -7.7 466 600 259 294 224 49 26.8
    10-31 1203 5 -7.4 562 600 232 294 197 43 28.2
    10-30 1203.4 5.4 -7.2 566 690 253 297 189 41 27.2
    10-29 1203.8 5.8 -6.9 569 690 210 302 155 33 27
    10-28 1204.2 6.3 -6.5 573 690 166 312 153 33 27.4
    10-27 1204.7 6.8 -5.9 577 720 186 336 157 33 26.1
    10-26 1205.2 7.2 -5.4 581 720 229 383 168 35 26.4
    10-25 1205.6 7.6 -5 584 720 229 416 179 37 27
    10-24 1206 8 -4.5 587 720 251 414 183 38 26.3
    10-23 1206.4 8.4 -4.1 591 720 205 409 184 39 28.9
    10-22 1206.9 8.8 -3.7 594 720 296 406 195 43 27.8
    10-21 1207.2 9.2 -3.2 597 720 273 401 208 46 27.5
    10-20 1207.6 9.5 -2.7 599 700 343 397 227 52 27.5
    10-19 1207.9 9.9 -2.2 601 700 390 391 251 60 26.8
    10-18 1208.1 10.1 -1.9 603 700 438 382 286 76 27.4
    10-17 1208.3 10.3 -1.5 604 700 558 373 349 105 28.3
    10-16 1208.4 10.4 -1.4 605 720 677 361 443 154 26.9
    10-15 1208.3 10.4 -1.4 604 720 700 343 573 192 26.8
    10-14 1208.3 10 -1.5 604 720 415 326 416 178 26.6
    10-13 1208.5 10 -1.4 607 740 296 320 173 49 26
    10-12 1208.8 10.3 -1.1 610 740 199 317 N/A N/A 26.8
    10-11 1209.3 10.6 -0.7 613 740 271 317 191 48 28.4
    10-10 1209.6 10.7 -0.4 616 740 222 319 190 47 26.6
    10-09 1210 10.9 0 619 770 221 321 153 41 26.8
    10-08 1210.4 11.2 0.4 622 770 246 323 151 38 26.4
    10-07 1210.8 11.5 0.9 626 0 194 326 147 36 26.9
    10-06 1211.3 11.7 1.3 629 780 193 329 139 28 25.6
    10-05 1211.7 12 1.6 632 780 166 329 151 29 27.5
    10-04 1212.2 12.3 1.9 635 780 295 331 164 29 26.5
    10-03 1212.5 12.4 2.2 638 780 216 329 176 30 26.6
    10-02 1213 12.6 2.4 641 750 268 329 187 29 26.7
    10-01 1213.3 12.8 2.8 643 750 321 331 219 31 26.9
    09-30 1213.6 13 3 645 750 404 331 277 39 27.1
    09-29 1213.9 13.1 3.2 647 720 513 328 390 52 25.8
    09-28 1214 13 3.4 647 720 868 323 632 83 25.9
    09-27 1213.8 12.6 3.4 644 720 1610 304 1130 192 26.7
    09-26 1213 11.6 2.5 637 720 1213 263 1150 194 26.6
    09-25 1212.5 11 1.9 638 770 166 236 124 31 26.7
    09-24 1213 11.2 2.2 641 770 111 242 65 15 28
    09-23 1213.5 11.6 2.7 645 770 109 254 63 15 26.6
    09-22 1214 11.9 3.3 649 810 134 265 67 16 28.5
    09-21 1214.5 194.3 3.8 652 810 159 280 69 16 26.1
    09-20 1214.9 12.5 4.2 655 810 158 295 73 17 28.8
    09-19 1215.4 12.8 4.8 659 810 128 318 77 18 27.3
    09-18 1215.9 13 5.2 662 850 182 360 81 18 28.6
    09-17 1216.3 13.4 5.6 665 850 181 409 86 19 28.3
    09-16 1216.8 13.6 6 668 850 150 434 89 20 28.3
    09-15 1217.2 13.9 6.4 671 880 178 449 94 22 27.5
    09-14 1217.7 14.2 6.8 674 880 235 473 101 24 26
    09-13 1218 14.5 7.2 677 880 204 507 110 27 30.1
    09-12 1218.5 14.7 7.6 680 880 203 532 123 31 28
    09-11 1218.9 14.9 7.8 682 1010 322 568 147 40 29.3
    09-10 1219.2 15 7.9 685 1010 292 610 178 49 27.9
    09-09 1219.5 15.2 8.1 687 1010 291 683 183 48 27.2
    09-08 1219.9 15.4 8.1 689 1400 321 868 168 50 26.6
    09-07 1220.2 15.5 8.2 691 1400 290 912 112 28 26
    09-06 1220.5 15.6 8.3 693 1400 197 910 101 22 29
    09-05 1221 15.9 8.6 696 1400 226 911 108 24 27.2
    09-04 1221.4 16.2 8.8 699 1400 225 914 106 25 28.7
    09-03 1221.7 16.3 9 701 1400 238 918 119 30 26.2
    09-02 1222.1 16.5 9.2 703 1400 319 930 172 37 26.9
    09-01 1222.4 16.6 9.4 705 1400 318 931 182 42 26.6
    08-31 1222.7 16.8 9.7 707 1400 324 928 169 33 26.5
    08-30 1223.1 16.9 9.9 709 1400 356 924 171 31 27.1
    08-29 1223.4 17 10.2 711 1400 291 918 182 33 27.5
    08-28 1223.7 17.2 10.4 713 1450 388 914 204 37 30.7
    08-27 1224 17.4 10.4 715 1450 388 906 224 44 28.1
    08-26 1224.2 17.5 10.5 716 1450 355 901 244 53 28.9
    08-25 1224.5 17.5 10.4 718 1500 487 901 278 67 27.8
    08-24 1224.7 17.5 10.4 700 1500 436 899 331 86 26.9
    08-23 1224.9 17.5 10.5 727 1500 561 902 406 114 27.6
    08-22 1225.1 17.6 10.6 794 1500 628 893 511 166 27.4
    08-21 1225.2 17.5 10.5 917 1400 846 882 654 238 26.4
    08-20 1225.3 17.4 10.4 840 1400 1373 861 904 499 27.5
    08-19 1224.9 16.8 9.8 715 1400 1675 824 972 630 27
    08-18 1224.3 16 8.9 714 1400 913 781 361 153 26.1
    08-17 1224.1 15.7 8.6 715 1400 618 769 381 158 27.6
    08-16 1224.2 15.6 8.5 715 1400 880 778 509 260 28.3
    08-15 1224.1 15.3 8.2 714 1400 1271 811 738 647 28.9
    08-14 1223.7 14.8 7.7 712 400 941 790 688 290 28.3
    08-13 1223.6 14.5 7.5 710 400 1295 772 890 401 26.7
    08-12 1223.2 13.9 6.9 544 400 1571 740 1220 370 25.8
    08-11 1222.4 12.9 6.1 452 430 2495 707 1870 473 25.4
    08-10 1220.9 11.3 4.5 441 430 5816 651 4400 1030 48.2
    08-09 1216.5 6.7 0 425 430 1643 490 1750 413 27
    08-08 1215.4 5.4 -1.3 434 430 245 441 207 53 27
    08-07 1215.6 5.4 -1.2 454 460 235 439 241 72 28.2
    08-06 1215.8 5.4 -1.2 454 460 292 437 287 72 27.2
    08-05 1216 5.5 -1.1 469 460 359 437 N/A 50 27.4
    08-04 1216.2 5.4 -1.1 497 500 588 433 N/A 87 26.9
    08-03 1216.1 5.2 -1.3 497 500 361 425 N/A 68 26.9
    08-02 1216.2 5.2 -1.2 498 500 220 425 231 30 28.6
    08-01 1216.5 5.3 -1.2 504 500 195 434 N/A N/A 28
    07-31 1216.8 5.4 -0.9 515 520 176 456 N/A 21 27.1
    07-30 1217.1 5.6 -0.8 517 520 175 512 173 17 30.9
    07-29 1217.4 5.7 -0.5 529 520 155 600 N/A 20 28.5
    07-28 1217.8 5.9 -0.3 520 530 232 611 N/A 26 28.9
    07-27 1218 6 -0.2 521 530 350 612 N/A 32 28.1
    07-26 1218.2 6 -0.1 522 530 438 612 N/A 50 28.7
    07-25 1218.3 5.8 -0.3 526 530 531 614 640 58 29.2
    07-24 1218.3 5.8 -0.3 537 540 275 621 N/A N/A 27.6
    07-23 1218.6 5.8 -0.3 538 540 305 640 N/A 36 29.4
    07-22 1218.8 5.8 -0.2 531 540 222 659 249 37 27.9
    07-21 1219.1 5.9 0 512 510 277 665 293 30 28
    07-20 1219.3 5.9 0.1 513 510 367 660 382 38 29.1
    07-19 1219.4 6 0.1 514 510 548 653 N/A 53 26.6
    07-18 1219.4 5.8 -0.1 517 510 882 641 N/A 89 30.4
    07-17 1219.2 5.3 -0.6 524 520 1893 616 1520 161 30.4
    07-16 1218.1 4 -1.8 520 520 642 559 N/A N/A 30.4
    07-15 1218 3.8 -2 521 520 379 546 N/A 44 30.4
    07-14 1218.2 3.8 -2 522 520 350 542 364 N/A 27.4
    07-13 1218.3 3.7 -1.9 522 520 586 542 N/A N/A 27.5
    07-12 1218.3 3.5 -1.9 522 520 820 532 N/A N/A 26.3
    07-11 1218.1 3.2 -2.2 524 520 967 519 N/A 249 25.7
    07-10 1217.7 2.6 -2.8 534 540 172 511 179 44 30.4
    07-09 1218 2.8 -2.6 536 540 187 531 N/A 26 29.6
    07-08 1218.4 2.9 -2.4 537 540 187 546 N/A 31 29.6
    07-07 1218.7 3.1 -2.3 539 540 275 565 191 36 25.6
    07-06 1218.9 3.2 -2.2 540 540 245 575 N/A 35 27.5
    07-05 1219.2 3.2 -2 541 540 365 578 246 N/A 26
    07-04 1219.4 3.2 -1.9 528 540 351 578 N/A N/A 29.1
    07-03 1219.5 3.1 -1.9 486 460 490 575 N/A 63 27.7
    07-02 1219.6 3 -2.1 485 460 851 569 N/A 100 27.7
    07-01 1219.3 2.6 -2.4 483 460 1854 553 1290 214 26.3
    06-30 1218.2 1.3 -3.7 475 470 2824 501 N/A 424 25.5
    06-29 1216.3 -0.8 -5.7 470 470 476 422 N/A 106 27.7
    06-28 1216.3 -0.9 -5.9 471 470 278 424 246 28 26.5
    06-27 1216.5 -0.9 -5.7 472 470 336 439 N/A N/A 27.4
    06-26 1216.6 -0.9 -5.6 472 460 507 460 N/A 49 27
    06-25 1216.6 -1.1 -5.7 472 460 734 460 N/A 83 25.6
    06-24 1216.4 -1.5 -6.1 473 460 848 449 N/A 127 28
    06-23 1216.2 -2 -6.6 482 490 881 437 782 94 21.4
    06-22 1215.8 -2.5 -6.9 481 490 404 425 N/A 52 29.4
    06-21 1215.9 -2.6 -6.8 483 490 123 436 168 18 30.9
    06-20 1216.3 -2.3 -6.6 491 490 157 452 N/A N/A 27.6
    06-19 1216.6 -2.2 -6.4 514 520 177 468 N/A 20 30.5
    06-18 1216.9 -2.1 -6.3 516 520 148 480 N/A 22 29.7
    06-17 1217.2 -2 -6.1 517 520 176 497 N/A 24 28.1
    06-16 1217.6 -1.9 -5.8 519 520 233 519 194 28 30.4
    06-15 1217.8 -1.7 -5.5 520 520 263 544 N/A N/A 27.4
    06-14 1218.1 -1.6 -5.2 521 520 351 580 N/A 42 30.1
    06-13 1218.2 -1.6 -5.2 523 520 292 603 296 42 27.2
    06-12 1218.5 -1.6 -5 497 510 443 622 N/A 51 29
    06-11 1218.5 -1.7 -5.1 679 510 714 642 N/A 68 26.8
    06-10 1218.5 -1.8 -5.1 555 510 767 656 N/A 102 29.9
    06-09 1218.4 -2.2 -5.3 530 530 654 677 N/A 94 26.3
    06-08 1218.3 -2.5 -5.5 530 530 741 698 N/A 75 28.3
    06-07 1218.2 -2.8 -5.8 532 530 567 727 615 87 29.9
    06-06 1218.2 -2.9 -5.8 531 530 360 747 N/A N/A 30
    06-05 1218.3 -3 -5.8 546 540 344 779 N/A 26 31.1
    06-04 1218.5 -2.9 -5.6 548 540 257 816 N/A 29 28.8
    06-03 1218.8 -2.8 -5.5 540 540 336 837 191 33 27.8
    06-02 1219 -2.8 -5.2 526 540 352 850 209 37 30
    06-01 1219.2 -2.8 -5 548 540 313 868 N/A N/A 26.5
    05-31 1219.4 -2.6 -4.8 547 540 428 894 N/A 56 29.7
    05-30 1219.5 -2.5 -4.7 543 0 545 966 N/A 82 27.9
    05-29 1219.5 -2.4 -4.6 639 638 731 987 N/A 150 28.6
    05-28 1219.5 -2.5 -4.8 688 638 961 994 604 N/A 29.4
    05-27 1219.3 -2.7 -5 636 638 518 987 N/A N/A 25.5
    05-26 1219.4 -2.6 -4.9 670 670 400 996 N/A 48 29
    05-25 1219.7 -2.3 -4.7 663 670 483 1013 N/A 56 30.7
    05-24 1219.8 -2.2 -4.6 664 670 514 1029 444 82 33.1
    05-23 1220 -2 -4.4 665 670 757 1045 N/A N/A 30.5
    05-22 1219.9 -2.1 -4.5 806 810 594 1052 N/A 66 30.2
    05-21 1220.1 -1.9 -4.4 808 810 626 1072 392 74 28.6
    05-20 1220.3 -1.7 -4.2 809 810 534 1104 N/A N/A 30.8
    05-19 1220.5 -1.5 -4 845 840 667 1146 N/A 110 28.6
    05-18 1220.7 -1.3 -3.8 847 840 848 1188 N/A 142 27.2
    05-17 1220.7 -1.2 -3.7 847 840 972 1212 N/A 204 29.5
    05-16 1220.7 -1.3 -3.8 845 840 1338 1222 N/A 291 26.5
    05-15 1220.3 -1.7 -4.3 964 960 1057 1234 N/A 202 30
    05-14 1220.2 -1.7 -4.3 967 960 846 1282 N/A 156 26.5
    05-13 1220.4 -1.6 -4.2 964 960 1057 1396 N/A 185 21.2
    05-12 1220.3 -1.7 -4.1 1005 1000 1129 1635 898 225 28.3
    05-11 1220.2 -1.8 -4.2 1008 1000 1405 1743 N/A 264 26.4
    05-10 1220 -2 -4.3 1002 1000 1277 1760 N/A 270 29.4
    05-09 1219.8 -2.3 -4.5 1006 1000 1611 1761 N/A 383 27
    05-08 1219.3 -2.7 -5 1197 1200 1169 1744 N/A 343 29.3
    05-07 1219.4 -2.6 -4.9 1223 1200 1315 1738 909 N/A 27.3
    05-06 1219.3 -2.6 -5 1209 1200 1451 1720 N/A N/A 29.4
    05-05 1219.1 -2.9 -5.3 1247 1260 886 1706 N/A 194 27.2
    05-04 1219.4 -2.6 -5 1256 1260 744 1714 N/A 120 27.8
    05-03 1219.9 -2.1 -4.5 1238 1260 874 1726 N/A 153 29.5
    05-02 1220.2 -1.8 -4.1 1257 1260 1105 1728 N/A 207 30.1
    05-01 1220.4 -1.6 -3.8 1437 1400 2593 1722 N/A 287 30.1
    04-30 1220.4 1220.4 -3.5 1384 1400 1165 1666 N/A 361 27.9
    04-29 1220.6 1220.6 -3.2 1388 1400 951 1666 N/A 186 28.1
    04-28 1221 1221 -2.6 1381 1400 753 1675 603 110 27.5
    04-27 1221.5 1221.5 -1.9 1392 1400 759 1705 623 110 29.2
    04-26 1222 1222.1 -1.1 1401 1400 921 1742 705 N/A 26
    04-25 1222.4 1222.4 -0.4 1407 1400 955 1752 823 180 29.1
    04-24 1222.8 1222.8 0.4 1784 1400 1005 1742 N/A 163 25.8
    04-23 1223.4 1223.4 1.6 1789 1400 970 1731 841 N/A 28.3
    04-22 1224 1224 3 1804 1400 1206 1725 N/A N/A 28.4
    04-21 1224.5 1224.5 4.2 1803 1650 1565 1711 N/A 241 26
    04-20 1224.7 1224.7 4.9 1808 1650 1802 1684 N/A 334 29.7
    04-19 1224.7 1224.7 5.5 1807 1650 1933 1653 N/A 398 26.2
    04-18 1224.6 1224.6 5.8 1799 1650 1560 1626 N/A 330 28.6
    04-17 1224.8 1224.9 6.7 1842 1400 1269 1616 N/A 216 26.6
    04-16 1225.3 1225.3 8 2283 1400 1706 1624 N/A 287 28.5
    04-15 1225.7 1225.7 9.3 2629 1400 2487 1625 N/A 446 28.7
    04-14 1225.8 1225.8 10.2 1874 1400 4265 1616 3320 790 26.8
    04-13 1224.1 1224.1 9.2 1420 1400 8233 1541 N/A 1130 29.2
    04-12 1218.8 1218.8 4.6 1390 1400 4380 1312 4250 N/A 27.9
    04-11 1216.3 1216.3 2.8 1393 1400 1900 1208 N/A N/A 28.4
    04-10 1215.9 1215.9 3.1 1403 1400 1317 1194 N/A 209 28.4
    04-09 1216 1216 3.7 1391 1400 1107 1221 N/A 215 26.5
    04-08 1216.3 1216.3 4.6 1399 1400 971 1276 N/A 234 29.2
    04-07 1216.7 1216.7 5.8 1387 1400 783 1333 N/A 212 26.8
    04-06 1217.2 1217.2 7.1 1409 1400 1031 1469 N/A 207 29.1
    04-05 1217.5 1217.6 8.4 1412 1400 1118 1709 861 N/A 26.3
    04-04 1217.8 1217.8 9.6 1387 1400 1122 1793 N/A 243 27.5
    04-03 1218 1218 11 1210 1400 914 1865 N/A 171 28
    04-02 1218.3 1218.3 12.1 1392 1400 945 1931 788 151 28
    04-01 1218.7 1218.8 13.5 1390 1400 910 1976 N/A 171 29.3
    03-31 1219.1 1219.2 14.8 1395 1400 1148 1994 N/A 195 28.9
    03-30 1219.4 1219.4 15.9 1400 1400 1243 2016 960 N/A 27.8
    03-29 1219.5 1219.5 16.8 1402 1400 1636 2066 1190 N/A 29.4
    03-28 1219.3 1219.4 17.6 1402 1400 1875 2041 N/A 394 26.6
    03-27 1219 1218.9 17.9 1400 1400 1214 1994 1080 308 29.6
    03-26 1219.1 1219.1 18.5 1413 1400 653 1965 577 146 26.8
    03-25 1219.8 1219.7 19.5 1399 1400 691 1955 550 134 29
    03-24 1220.4 1220.3 20.3 1399 1400 775 1947 N/A N/A 27.4
    03-23 1220.9 1220.9 21 1392 1400 794 1936 N/A -999999 28
    03-22 1221.4 1221.4 21.6 1398 1400 762 1924 -999999 -999999 28
    03-21 1221.9 1221.9 22.3 1395 1400 860 1910 N/A -999999 26.2
    03-20 1222.3 1222.3 22.9 1793 1800 1114 1895 N/A 188 29.4
    03-19 1222.8 1222.8 23.3 1801 1800 1277 1868 N/A 205 27.8
    03-18 1223.2 1223.2 23.9 1805 1800 1504 1838 1240 N/A 30.1
    03-17 1223.5 1223.5 24.4 1807 1800 1732 1806 N/A 279 26.8
    03-16 1223.6 1223.6 24.5 1808 1800 2220 1761 1790 379 30
    03-15 1223.3 1223.3 24.3 1805 1800 2021 1699 1830 N/A 28.8
    03-14 1223.1 1223.1 24.3 1806 1800 1343 1648 1150 268 28.2
    03-13 1223.5 1223.5 24.8 1805 1800 1274 1628 1020 268 29.5
    03-12 1223.9 1223.9 25.3 1812 1400 1475 1612 N/A N/A 29.3
    03-11 1224.2 1224.2 25.5 1801 1400 2119 1589 N/A 551 30.3
    03-10 1224 1224 25.3 1784 1400 2757 1535 N/A 792 24
    03-09 1223.3 1223.2 24.6 1793 1400 2683 1462 N/A 446 32.6
    03-08 1222.6 1222.6 24 1559 1400 4889 1391 3400 N/A 25.5
    03-07 1220 1220 21.3 1422 1400 8218 1247 N/A 1080 30.9
    03-06 1214.3 1214.3 15.8 1236 1020 3624 992 N/A 603 27
    03-05 1212.1 1212.1 13.6 1064 1020 3292 892 2290 610 30.6
    03-04 1210 1210 11.2 1030 1020 2893 804 N/A N/A 30.4
    03-03 1208.1 1208.1 9 940 930 2291 735 N/A 625 33.1
    03-02 1206.7 1206.7 7.3 930 930 1454 692 1040 N/A 30.5
    03-01 1206.2 1206.2 6.6 949 930 1799 675 N/A 359 33
    02-29 1205.3 1205.3 5.6 949 930 2758 651 N/A 639 25.1
    02-28 1203.3 1203.3 3.5 979 980 898 605 N/A 353 30.4
    02-27 1203.4 1203.4 3.5 970 980 443 640 N/A -999999 30.4
    02-26 1204 1204 3.9 977 980 354 721 N/A -999999 27.6
    02-25 1204.8 1204.8 4.4 1016 1020 358 869 N/A 79 30.8
    02-24 1205.5 1205.5 4.9 1143 1020 439 969 303 85 30.8
    02-23 1206.2 1206.1 5.4 1004 1020 436 981 N/A 84 30.4
    02-22 1206.8 1206.8 6 1012 1020 435 984 292 73 29.5
    02-21 1207.4 1207.4 6.4 1070 1080 365 976 N/A -999999 29.2
    02-20 1208.2 1208.2 6.7 1080 1080 387 965 N/A -999999 30.9
    02-19 1208.9 1208.9 7.1 1081 1080 302 989 N/A -999999 29.9
    02-18 1209.7 1209.7 7.7 1394 1400 398 1005 N/A -999999 29.5
    02-17 1210.7 1210.7 8.6 1391 1400 526 1014 N/A -999999 30.8
    02-16 1211.6 1211.6 9.2 1392 1400 405 1016 N/A -999999 31.4
    02-15 1212.5 1212.5 9.8 1391 1400 356 1027 -999999 -999999 29.3
    02-14 1213.5 1213.5 10.4 1389 1400 495 1045 N/A -999999 30.6
    02-13 1214.3 1214.3 10.8 1397 1400 736 1068 479 N/A 32.1
    02-12 1215 1215 11.2 1398 1400 785 1093 N/A N/A 30.7
    02-11 1215.5 1215.5 11.3 1396 1400 803 1105 N/A 212 30.3
    02-10 1216 1216 11.4 1399 1400 485 1118 N/A 124 30.4
    02-09 1216.8 1216.8 11.8 1396 1400 554 1161 N/A 86 30.4
    02-08 1217.6 1217.6 12.2 1396 1400 571 1174 N/A -999999 30.9
    02-07 1218.3 1218.3 12.5 1393 1400 557 1171 N/A -999999 31.2
    02-06 1219 1219 12.9 1392 1400 574 1171 -999999 -999999 30.2
    02-05 1219.7 1219.7 13.2 1401 1400 634 1174 N/A -999999 31.9
    02-04 1220.3 1220.4 13.6 1403 1400 657 1174 N/A 119 31.4
    02-03 1220.9 1220.9 14 1391 1400 824 1173 N/A 145 30.7
    02-02 1221.4 1221.4 14.3 1397 1400 983 1171 N/A 166 31.5
    02-01 1221.7 1221.8 14.4 1402 1400 952 1167 N/A 184 31.4
    01-31 1222.1 1222.1 14.5 1406 1020 1081 1166 N/A 225 31.4
    01-30 1222.4 1222.4 14.5 1410 1020 1369 1167 N/A 306 33.1
    01-29 1222.4 1222.4 14.4 1406 1020 1936 1175 1360 N/A 30.3
    01-28 1222 1222 13.7 1028 1020 2892 1180 N/A N/A 32.4
    01-27 1220.6 1220.5 12.1 1039 1020 4800 1166 N/A N/A 32.2
    01-26 1217.5 1217.5 9 1031 1020 3361 1111 N/A 801 32.8
    01-25 1215.6 1215.6 7 1017 1020 788 1059 N/A 301 32.4
    01-24 1215.8 1215.7 7 1048 1050 536 1060 N/A -999999 30
    01-23 1216.2 1216.2 7.6 1061 1050 188 1072 N/A -999999 32.9
    01-22 1217 1217 8.4 1051 1050 42 1100 N/A -999999 30.2
    01-21 1217.9 1217.9 9 1070 1070 1093 1129 N/A -999999 30.3
    01-20 1217.9 1217.9 8.8 1063 1070 793 1132 N/A -999999 31.2
    01-19 1218.1 1218.2 8.9 1070 1070 650 1165 N/A -999999 29.8
    01-18 1218.5 1218.5 9.1 1073 1070 591 1263 N/A 226 29.6
    01-17 1218.9 1218.9 9.2 1395 1070 728 1536 N/A 213 29.7
    01-16 1219.5 1219.4 9.5 1396 1070 905 1844 N/A N/A 30
    01-15 1219.9 1219.9 9.8 1263 1070 1194 1840 N/A 244 29.9
    01-14 1220 1220 9.6 1403 1070 1487 1830 N/A 331 28.7
    01-13 1219.9 1219.9 9.2 1395 1070 1144 1810 N/A 243 32.2
    01-12 1220.1 1220.1 9.2 1234 1070 1196 1804 N/A 219 31.7
    01-11 1220.2 1220.2 9 1370 1070 1759 1811 N/A 326 28.4
    01-10 1219.9 1219.9 8.4 1385 1400 951 1794 N/A 262 29.6
    01-09 1220.2 1220.3 8.6 1308 1400 469 1860 N/A 89 29.6
    01-08 1220.9 1221 9.1 1400 1400 581 1873 N/A 101 29.6
    01-07 1221.6 1221.6 9.6 1401 1400 636 1881 N/A 95 28.3
    01-06 1222.2 1222.2 10 1398 1400 657 1889 N/A 130 29.9
    01-05 1222.8 1222.8 10.5 1400 1400 618 1902 393 133 28.6
    01-04 1223.4 1223.4 11.1 1398 1400 771 1932 N/A N/A 28.7
    01-03 1223.9 1223.9 11.6 1392 1400 858 1996 N/A 127 31.1
    01-02 1224.3 1224.3 12 1396 1400 924 2077 735 152 29.4
    01-01 1224.7 1224.6 12.4 1286 1400 1111 2074 N/A 200 27.7

    1 The Elevation Trigger is invoked when Hinckley Reservoir elevation falls below the 10% historical low level. The elevation trigger is 1222 feet in May, 1198 feet October 15 to December 31 and linearly interpolated from 1222 feet on May 31 and 1198 feet on October 15.

    2 "Normal" Hinckley Reservoir elevations for a given date are based upon the average of 59 years of daily Hinckley Reservoir elevation data (1942-1979 and 1987-2007).

    3 cfs is the abbreviation for cubic feet per second.

    4 The 1920 Operating Diagram establishes the rate of release of water from Hinckley Reservoir based upon varying reservoir levels throughout the year.

    5 The Inflow Trigger is invoked when the 30-day running average Hinckley Reservoir inflow is below 300 cfs.

    6 The Wilmurt plus Black Creek streamflow represents 80% of the Hinckley watershed area.

    Hinckley Reservoir Watershed Map
    Hinckley Reservoir Watershed Map
    OSWEGO RIVER BASIN

    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.

    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.

    Current Oswego Basin Levels

    Current Oswego Basin Levels

    Oswego Basin Rule Curves

    Oswego Basin Rule Curves

    Minimizing 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.
    Rule Curves for Eight Lakes in Oswego Basin

    New Water Management System in 2025

    Stay tuned. Check back later for more updates.

    Environmental Stewardship

    Environmental Stewardship is recognized as one of the primary responsibilities of the Canal Corporation.

    Learn About Environmental Stewardship