Full pool for Hopatcong (i.e. the crest of the dam) is 9 feet, which it never attained this year. As of today, the lake is at 7.6 feet so it is about 1.5' 'low" and on a downward trend as can be seen here:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/uv...ate=2015-09-28
The current lake Hopatcong water level management plan was drafted in 2011 and is still in effect:
http://www.lakehopatcongfoundation.o...march-2011.pdf
Since 2015 is a 26" draw down, the lake will be brought to 6.83 feet so there is only about 9" to go.
The official method by which this is done is as follows:
If the water level in the lake is at 9 feet beginning on November 12 the gates shall be opened to reduce the water level in the lake by .79 inch per day (88 CFS= 2.44 feet on the gauge).
The start date for the draw down shall be adjusted according to the water level in the lake, such that if the lake is above 9 feet the draw down will begin one day earlier for each inch above 9 feet and if the lake is below 9 feet the start of the draw down will be delayed by one day for each inch below 9 feet. The rate of draw down shall be adjusted to account for rainfall throughout the draw down period.
The rate of release shall be adjusted to reach a water elevation in the lake of 6.83 feet by December 15th.
