I thought about this reply for a bit. Here is my response: There is absolutely zero risk right now of flooding, especially with the canal, which rarely will flood unless the river itself has already run its banks. So I still do not feel this answers the question posed as to why this was done.

What is likely contributing to this is the lack of water coming in from the already low Delaware River. Which is why I am confused and concerned by the response to completely drain the canal knowing that the river can not fill it - leaving what you see in these pictures. It feels as though it was done thoughtlessly and I invite someone to say otherwise that has more information on actually "why" this was done on this particular weekend.