21 Sep 2021

Army Corps to draw down Blue Marsh Lake reservoir in advance of forecasted rain

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers Philadelphia District has announced it will draw down the reservoir at Blue Marsh Lake in advance of significant forecasted rainfall. Blue Marsh Lake is located on the Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, about four miles northwest of Reading, Pa. Reservoir drawdowns are done to create additional upstream runoff capacity in the reservoirs. Given the wet ground conditions, Blue Marsh Lake will be drawn down to elevation 287 (down from its normal summer elevation of 290). Water releases will increase from 420 cubic feet per second to approximately 1500 cubic feet per second on September 21 until mid-day on Wednesday.   

3 Sep 2021

Boat Launches Remain Closed at Blue Marsh Lake

Due to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ida and the resulting runoff, the boat launches at Blue Marsh Lake remain closed to the public. The lake level is currently nine feet above the normal summer pool. With key gaging stations on the Schuylkill River below flood stage, this morning dam operators began to reduce water levels in the lake by increasing outflow to 3000 cubic feet per second.

2 Sep 2021

Boat Launches Closed at Blue Marsh Lake

Due to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ida, the boat launches at Blue Marsh Lake are closed to the public. The lake level is five feet above the normal summer pool and still rising. The dam will continue to impound water until the level of the Schuylkill River drops enough to allow for releases from the dam. There is no projection of when the lake levels will drop to a level that will allow the launches to open.