PHILADELPHIA (July 19, 2018) – The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District updated the 2018 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 three increments of the plan, which includes the following additions:
- 1. Add a whitewater event on August 25 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 21-27.
- 2. Add a white water event on August 26 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of July 28-August 3.
- 3. Add a whitewater event on September 1 (650 cubic feet per second) and increase fisheries enhancement releases to 100 cubic feet per second for the period of August 4-10.
The Army Corps will announce at a later date if it is able to hold additional whitewater and fisheries releases.
The Francis E. Walter Dam, constructed in 1961, has prevented more than $220 million in flood damages to the Lehigh River Valley. The dam was built for flood risk management, but recreation became a Congressionally-authorized purpose in 1988.
Release no. 18-039