Lake Jefferson water level to be drawn down in advance of Sandy

Barbara Gref, who owns the hydroelectric dam on Lake Jefferson that provides power to WJFF Radio, informs us that the water level in the lake will be lowered today, at the request of the town of Callicoon:

In advance of the storm, the Town of Callicoon in Sullivan County has asked Jeffersonville Hydroelectric to lower the lake level on Lake Jefferson. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Regional Office this morning said OK to this plan. Jeff Hydro has opened its gate valve to help lower the lake level. Lakeside residents may notice a lower than normal level. People downstream may notice brownish water with this greater-than-normal release.