Surface Water Resources Planning in Hudson Basin

A reconnaissance study was made by consultants for the Water Resources Commission of the State of New York. The objective was to evaluate the quantity and general quality of the ground water and surface water resources within the Hudson-Mohawk River Basin and Long Island. The study assesses the present utilization and analyzes and projects the water needs within a 15,000 sq mile area, with a present population of 13,000,000 persons, to the year 2020. The entire study area was screened for potential reservoir sites and suitable storage projects were located in the headwater regions. The techniques used to screen potential reservoir sites are described and are believed to have wide application to water resource planning for large river basins. Alternative solutions are developed for municipal water supplies for four regions: (1) Upper Hudson River Basin; (2) Mohawk River Basin; (3) Lower Hudson River Basin; and (4) New York City, Westchester County and Long Island. Special attention is given to water supply problems of New York City and vicinity. The plans presented show relative costs of a number of alternative solutions.