Philadelphia District News Releases

Army Corps shares update regarding temporary closure of portion of C&D Canal trail

Press Operations — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:28:49 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District shared an update regarding upcoming work along the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal that will temporarily impact access to the Michael N. Castle trail system on the north side of the Canal and the access road off Cox Neck Road.

Army Corps shares details for F.E. Walter Dam water releases

Press Operations — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District shared details for the season’s final recreational water releases from the Francis E. Walter Dam. The recreation plan allows for a large volume of remaining water storage to be released during the second weekend of October to draw down the reservoir to its winter elevation. Due to the dry season, minimal forecasted rainfall and limited surplus of water storage remaining, a ‘mega release’ will not be possible this year.

Army Corps shares update on Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:29:05 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2025 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. Currently, there is enough water storage to schedule the 12th increment of the plan, which includes adding fishing releases for the period of September 13-26.

Army Corps shares update on Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule

Press Operations — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:08:00 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (August 21, 2025) – The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2025 Francis E. Walter Dam recreation plan.

Army Corps shares update on Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule

Press Operations — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:22:33 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2025 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. Currently, there is enough water storage to schedule the 8th and 9th increments of the 2025 Recreation Plan.

Army Corps of Engineers celebrates World Ranger Day July 31

Press Operations — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will recognize World Ranger Day July 31. This annual worldwide

Army Corps shares status update on Blue Marsh Lake Algal Bloom

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:27:11 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Philadelphia District at Blue Marsh Lake will be reopening the swim beach for Saturday, July 19, 2025, however the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Status will remain within the Warning Status.

Blue Marsh Lake - Harmful Algal Bloom Status Update – Advisory to Warning & Closures

Press Operations — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:25:38 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District is advising Blue Marsh Lake visitors to be aware of the presence of extremely high levels of blue-green algae in the lake and the potential for harmful toxins to be present.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launches nationwide Recreation Operational Status website

Press Operations — Thu, 22 May 2025 10:53:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has launched its Recreation Operational Status website to keep the public informed about the operational status of USACE recreation areas nationwide.

Army Corps shares details for final water releases of recreation season

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:02:05 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District shared details for the final recreational water releases (also known as the ‘mega release’) from the Francis E. Walter Dam.

Army Corps shares details on final recreational water release of season at Francis E. Walter Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 14:24:38 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District announced the schedule for the final water release of the recreation season for the Francis E. Walter Dam in White Haven, PA.

UPDATE: Army Corps updates road closure status at Francis E. Walter Dam

Press Operations — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:44:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District announced the Route 940 entrance to the Francis E. Walter Dam will reopen on Sept. 21, 2020 (delayed from the previously announced date of Sept. 18, 2020). The Bear Creek White Haven Road entrance to the dam will then close to traffic as road repairs shift to that area.

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

Press Operations — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 17:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2020 Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management 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.

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

Press Operations — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 13:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2020 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 five increments of the plan.

Army Corps of Engineers reports an increase in adult drowning at its lake and river projects this summer

Press Operations — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that more than 30 people lost their lives to drowning in June at lake and river projects the agency manages. The June statistics represent a 47 percent increase in drownings over the same time period last year. USACE also reported that nearly all the drowning victims were adult males between the ages of 18 and 85 and were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the drowning.

Blue Marsh Lake Swimming Beach to Open; Restrictions in Place for Holiday Weekend

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 17:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake will open to the public on July 2, 2020. The bathhouse and shower facilities at the beach will also open. Visitation in the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be limited to 75% capacity. Park Rangers will be monitoring the visitation and closing the area as needed.

Blue Marsh Lake Stilling Basin Closure Announcement

Press Operations — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:49:00 GMT

Beginning on June 29, 2020, portions of the Blue Marsh Lake Stilling Basin and Multi-Use Trail will be closed to the public. This closure is related to the ongoing Western Berks Water Authority pipeline construction project to connect the treatment plant directly to the dam.

UPDATE: All scheduled events at Blue Marsh Lake cancelled

Press Operations — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:10:14 GMT

Following guidelines issued by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, all scheduled events at Blue Marsh Lake are cancelled until further notice. This includes all previously issued Special Use Permits for organized activities such as fishing tournaments, trail races, church services, and search and rescue training. The beach area is closed to public use and large group use of the picnic areas is prohibited. Park Rangers are still on duty and will be disbursing any large groups they come upon while on patrol.

All scheduled events at Blue Marsh Lake cancelled

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:52:55 GMT

Due to concerns on the spread of the Coronavirus and based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all scheduled events and programs at Blue Marsh Lake are cancelled until the end of the April.