Delaware
Delaware water supply still in good shape despite worsening drought
Why La Niña could cause extreme weather this winter
La Niña, the cooler phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), can have significant impacts on global weather, especially during the winter months.
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The worst drought in over 20 years is continuing to expand over Delaware, and current forecasts offer minimal relief.
Gov. John Carney declared a statewide drought watch on Oct. 25 asking residents to voluntarily conserve water. The watch came a week after an indefinite outdoor burn ban from the Delaware Fire Marshal.
The drought watch encourages state residents to limit watering their lawns and outdoor plants and to avoid using potable water to do so.
The governor’s declaration said the drought watch was triggered by low precipitation and stream flows in northern New Castle County.
Wilmington and Georgetown had the driest September on record, and October is lining up to have only a trace of rain in some locations at best. The state is on track to break a record for most consecutive days without rain, which is 34 days in both places.
Broadly, the state’s water supply, especially New Castle County’s reservoirs, is still in good shape. Newark is pulling from its reservoir as flow of the White Clay Creek gets lower. The reservoir off of Paper Mill Road was built after the drought of 2002, the worst drought on record in northern Delaware.
A drought watch is the first step in the drought operation plan, which was developed in the 2000s with the four states in the Delaware River Basin, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, to coordinate drought response. New Jersey is also in a drought watch.
A drought warning would be the next step, and a drought emergency is when residents could face mandatory water conservation. That would take a much longer period of no rain to get to, said Gerald Kauffman, director of the Water Resources Center at the University of Delaware. The last drought emergency was in 2002.
“There’s a lot of backup water supply,” Kauffman said.
Wilmington’s water supply comes from the Brandywine, which flows from Pennsylvania into the Christina River, which flows to the Delaware River. Its levels are good, according to Kauffman, but they are actively monitoring them. If the water level goes down, the city can always pull from Hoopes Reservoir, a New Deal-era reservoir that can supply the city in the event of severe drought.
Kauffman said that reality is “off a ways,” however.
Veolia, which supplies New Castle County’s water, said the low precipitation levels have not affected its operations or ability to deliver water to its customers.
Artesian, which also supplies water to much of the unincorporated areas of the county, said it does not anticipate impacts on customers.
Downstate, the water supply is reliant on groundwater wells, which are at good levels.
Dover relies on water from wells near Route 9.
Lewes and Rehoboth Beach also rely on wells, some of which are over 100 feet deep. While these wells are in a good spot right now, they will not be recharged without rain.
Private individual wells in the less dense parts of Delaware would be the first to discover groundwater shortages because they are not as deep, according to Kauffman.
However, Kauffman has broader concerns about this drought. Not having even 0.01 inches of rain in a single month is what you would expect in Phoenix, not Delaware or anywhere in the Northeast. He said legendary droughts are set up by dry falls, and he warns this one could set up a dry spring and then summer next year. A summer with a drought this severe would hurt Delaware’s most valuable industry, agriculture.
“The only saving grace right now is that we’re in we’re late in the growing season in October,” he said. “If this were June, it would be a much more concerning situation.”
In the near term, Kauffman said he is concerned about the salt line between the Delaware Bay and Delaware River moving northward with freshwater flow ground to a halt.
The line between salt and freshwater in the Delaware is currently past the Commodore Barry Bridge between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. That salt water then creeps into the Christina River in Wilmington and could creep into the White Clay Creek and Red Clay Creek.
Veolia actively measures the salt contents in the White Clay Creek in an area near the Christina Marsh, which is bisected by I-95 near Churchman’s Crossing. Fortunately, Veolia said the salt levels are measuring as normal at the plant in Stanton.
While it is difficult to know whether the drought is the direct result of climate change, Kauffman said pattern stagnation is accentuated by climate change. A dry high-pressure system has been camped above the Northeast for a while now, preventing any notable weathermakers to come into the area.
For now, Kauffman said the drought response is operating normally.
“These measures that you’re seeing, chloride monitoring, drawing from Newark Reservoir, Veolia, working with Wilmington, in case they need the Hoopes Reservoir, this is all in the drought operating plan just waiting to be utilized at this point,” he said. “So the conclusion is the drought operating plan is working as designed.”
(This story was updated to meet our standards and to add a graphic.)
MUNCIE, Ind. — An Indianapolis man who was drunk when he caused a fatal head-on crash on Interstate 69 in Delaware County was sentenced Monday to 24 years in prison.
Walter Saucedo-Mendoza — who will observe his 32nd birthday this week — had pleaded guilty in Delaware Circuit Court 1 to two counts of causing death while driving while intoxicated and a single count of criminal recklessness.
According to Indiana State Police, Saucedo-Mendoza’s Kia Forte was traveling northbound in the interstate’s southbound lanes on Nov. 12, 2023, when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Malibu driven by Victoria Elaine Cox, 32, of Fort Wayne.
Cox and her husband, Evan Daniel Cox, 26, were pronounced dead at the scene, near the 234-mile marker and the Indiana 32/67 interchange in Daleville.
Authorities said Saucedo-Mendoza’s blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.186 soon after the collision. In Indiana, a motorist with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered intoxicated.
State police said the Indianapolis man’s car was traveling at 88 mph at the time of the crash.
At Monday’s hearing, Judge Judi Calhoun imposed a pair of 11-year sentences, to be served consecutively, for Saucedo-Mendoza’s DWI convictions.
He received a two-year sentence, also to be served consecutively, for the criminal recklessness conviction, which stemmed from damage sustained by a third vehicle.
Calhoun said she took exception to references to the interstate crash as an “accident.”
“This wasn’t an accident,” the judge said. “It was a crime.”
Calhoun said Saucedo-Mendoza made decisions both to become intoxicated and to then drive.
She said the “carnage and destruction” from his actions would “never be forgotten.”
Deputy prosecutor Steve Sneed recommended that the Indianapolis man receive a maximum sentence of 26 years and six months in prison.
He said Saucedo-Mendoza’s crimes had taken “two wonderful, amazing, truly gifted individuals from this Earth.”
According to Sneed, the Indianapolis man began his wrong-way trip up the interstate’s southbound lanes in Hamilton County and traveled through Madison County before his deadly encounter with the Fort Wayne couple near Daleville.
Four witnesses — the parents of both crash victims — testified about the devastating impact the couple’s deaths had on both family and friends.
Angela Schaefer, Victoria Cox’s mother, urged Calhoun to “please send a message to society” in sentencing Saucedo-Mendoza.
“He snuffed out one of the brightest lights who ever walked this Earth,” she said of her late daughter.
Evan Cox’s father, Dobie, also urged the judge to send “a message that says choosing to get behind the wheel impaired … will not be tolerated.”
Saucedo-Mendoza said he was “extremely remorseful for my actions.”
He indicated he was contending with personal problems at the time of the crash and maintained he had not consumed alcohol since that time. He also said he since had undergone counseling and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
“I understand there are no excuses for what happened,” he said, also noting that he was seriously injured in the collision.
His defense attorney recommended the Indianapolis man receive a 10-year sentence.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
Meteorological winter arrived Sunday, and roads and visitor use sites will be closing soon within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The National Park Service has released an overview of what wintertime visitors can expect at the 70,000-acre federal parkland straddling the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border.
Winter is a time of reduced staffing and visitation to the park, meaning the park service needs to prioritize areas that remain open, according to a park service news release.
“Plowing and treating the main roads through the park is our top priority when we have snow and ice,” states Bill Tagye, the park’s facility manager. “Secondary roads, administrative buildings, and visitor use sites that remain open for the winter will be plowed after the main roads have been cleared and are safe for travel. Some roads will receive no winter maintenance and others will be closed.”
Of the more than 150 miles of dirt and paved roads within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the few determined to be of highest priority for snow and ice removal and treatment provide critical access to and through the park, including emergency access. They also provide routes for residents living within park boundaries to get to and from their homes, according to the release.
Visitors should bear in mind, however, that during and after winter weather events, roads may be snow-covered and driving may be hazardous. Even high priority roads may be closed temporarily if conditions deteriorate faster than road crews can keep up with or in the event of equipment failures or breakdowns. If that occurs, these roads will be re-opened as soon as park staff can get them cleared for travel.
Otherwise, anticipated closures will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2025, or at the first significant snowfall, whichever comes first. Most sites will re-open on April 15 while others will re-open in May.
The park service breaks down the priority areas and closures as follows:
Pennsylvania roads
Route 209 is the top priority road for winter maintenance and treatment in Pennsylvania.
River Road in Pennsylvania will receive no winter maintenance and will be closed prior to snow and/or ice events and re-opened when conditions permit. Zion Church Road will be plowed after River Road has been opened.
New Jersey roads
In New Jersey, the top priority roads that will remain open during the winter months are:
- Route 602 (from Millbrook Village to the National Park Service boundary).
- Route 615 except sections that are closed due to an active landslide and a road washout.
- Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615.
- Old Mine Road between Flatbrookville and Pompey Ridge Road.
- Old Mine Road between Millbrook and Flatbrookville.
Old Mine Road closures are planned as follows:
- The section of Old Mine Road between the northern boundary of Worthington State Forest and Millbrook Village and the dirt section of Old Mine Road near Van Campen Inn will be closed for winter.
- The northern section of Old Mine Road between Mettler Road and the intersection with Route 206 will receive no winter maintenance: This 4-mile section of road will not be plowed or treated for ice and may be closed if safety hazards arise. Depending on the weather, roads may be snow-covered and icy. Travel on this section of road is at your own risk. Cellphone service is not reliable.
Other New Jersey roads:
- Blue Mountain Lakes Road will be closed to vehicles at the bottom of the hill prior to a storm and will be re-opened when conditions allow. When the road is closed, visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe on the road to access the Blue Mountain Lakes trailhead, Skyline Drive, Crater Lake and the Appalachian Trail.
- The National Park Service section of Mountain Road will be closed to vehicles for the winter. The historic bridge over the Flatbrook in Walpack Center remains closed indefinitely due to substantial structural damage.
- Jager Road, from Old Mine Road to the park boundary, will receive no winter maintenance.
Visitor use sites
Walkways and parking lots will normally be cleared within 72 hours of the end of a storm, according to the release.
River access: River access will be available at Dingmans Access, Milford Beach and Bushkill Access. These areas will be closed temporarily during a storm and re-opened after priority routes are clear and safe for travel. River ice may limit access depending on conditions. The park service does not clear river ice from launch areas. Eshback Access will remain open but will receive no winter maintenance.
Trail access: All trails that are currently open will remain open during the winter, but trailhead parking will be dependent on conditions and may be limited in some areas. Road closures may also affect access to some trails. Trailhead parking areas that will remain open during the winter months will not be cleared of ice and snow until after all priority routes are clear and safe for travel. Trails are not maintained or groomed and may be ice- or snow-covered during the winter months.
Additional notes about trail access include:
- McDade Recreational Trail parking areas will be plowed after all other roads and facilities have been completed (except Jerry Lees and Venturo, which will receive no winter maintenance).
- The parking lot and access road to Dingmans Falls will remain closed to vehicles from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15 but the trail will remain open, and visitors may walk, ski, or snowshoe on the roads leading to the falls.
- The upper parking lot for Raymondskill Falls will be closed from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15 but the lower parking lot will remain open, as conditions permit.
- The parking lot for George W. Childs Park will be closed from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15.
- The Cliff Park trailhead parking area will receive no winter maintenance and will be open as conditions allow.
Park service officials note that restrooms are available at the Kittatinny Point Picnic Area, Blue Mountain Lakes parking area and Millbrook Village in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania at Dingmans Access, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, Hidden Lake, Toms Creek and Milford Beach.
Visitors can use this Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Guide to help orient themselves to closures and areas without winter maintenance. It’s included below for viewing on some web-based platforms.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery will showcase “EnvironMental Just(ice) Mercy,” an exhibition by 2024 Established Artist Fellow Lori Crawford. The exhibition runs from December 6–27, 2024, with a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, December 6, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Lori Crawford, a Dover-based artist and tenured professor at Delaware State University, has been creating art for nearly three decades. Her latest body of work represents a transformative period in her artistic practice, inspired by the escalating effects of climate change. “I am determined to channel feelings of fright, anger, and frustration into creative expression,” says Crawford.
Originally from Mount Rainier, Maryland, Crawford has lived, worked, and taught in Delaware for over 25 years. Trained in digital media and painting, she recently expanded her practice to include photography and multimedia, repurposing discarded materials and artworks to create dynamic pieces. Her works highlight the urgency of climate action by juxtaposing natural beauty with destructive forces like volcanic ruins, aiming to inspire respect for the planet and encourage environmental responsibility.
“Climate change brings extreme weather—heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires—which affects my mental state,” Crawford explains. “But a trip to Hawaii, where I captured breathtaking seascapes, reminded me of the contrast between nature’s beauty and its destruction. This exhibition reflects those dualities.”
Crawford’s work draws inspiration from artists like Jacob Lawrence and the soulful music of blues legends such as Etta James and Nina Simone, which she listens to while working in her home studio.
The Mezzanine Gallery is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Images in the banner: “A Volcanic Abstraction” (2024), photography, 24”x36”.
###
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: Delaware State University, Individual Artist Fellowship, Lori Crawford, Mezzanine Gallery, mixed media, photography
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery will showcase “EnvironMental Just(ice) Mercy,” an exhibition by 2024 Established Artist Fellow Lori Crawford. The exhibition runs from December 6–27, 2024, with a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, December 6, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Lori Crawford, a Dover-based artist and tenured professor at Delaware State University, has been creating art for nearly three decades. Her latest body of work represents a transformative period in her artistic practice, inspired by the escalating effects of climate change. “I am determined to channel feelings of fright, anger, and frustration into creative expression,” says Crawford.
Originally from Mount Rainier, Maryland, Crawford has lived, worked, and taught in Delaware for over 25 years. Trained in digital media and painting, she recently expanded her practice to include photography and multimedia, repurposing discarded materials and artworks to create dynamic pieces. Her works highlight the urgency of climate action by juxtaposing natural beauty with destructive forces like volcanic ruins, aiming to inspire respect for the planet and encourage environmental responsibility.
“Climate change brings extreme weather—heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires—which affects my mental state,” Crawford explains. “But a trip to Hawaii, where I captured breathtaking seascapes, reminded me of the contrast between nature’s beauty and its destruction. This exhibition reflects those dualities.”
Crawford’s work draws inspiration from artists like Jacob Lawrence and the soulful music of blues legends such as Etta James and Nina Simone, which she listens to while working in her home studio.
The Mezzanine Gallery is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Images in the banner: “A Volcanic Abstraction” (2024), photography, 24”x36”.
###
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: Delaware State University, Individual Artist Fellowship, Lori Crawford, Mezzanine Gallery, mixed media, photography
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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