Army Corps updates water release schedule at Francis E. Walter Dam

USACE Philadelphia District
Published July 14, 2021
A large reservoir of water is pictured in front of a concrete control tower and dam with scenic vista of a creek/river valley in back drop of image.

Francis E. Walter Dam, owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, operates as a system in conjunction with Beltzville Dam, located in Lehighton PA, to reduce flooding in the downstream communities along the Lehigh River.

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2021 Francis E. Walter Dam recreation plan.

The Army Corps updated the plan, which states whitewater and fisheries releases will be scheduled if enough water storage is accumulated in the reservoir. Precipitation throughout the early part of the summer has enabled the Army Corps to schedule the first four increments of the plan, which includes the following additions:

  • 1- Add a whitewater event on Aug. 28 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 17-23
  • 2 - Add a whitewater event for Aug. 29 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 24-30
  • 3 - Add a whitewater event on Sept. 4 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 31-Aug 6
  • 4 - Add a whitewater event on Sept. 5 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of Aug. 7-13.

The Army Corps will announce later if it is able to hold additional whitewater and fisheries releases.


Contact
Steve Rochette
Stephen.Rochette@usace.army.mil

Release no. 21-019