Army Corps to draw down reservoirs at Blue Marsh Lake and Francis E. Walter Dam

Published Sept. 5, 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPT. 5, 2018) – The U.S. Army Corps Engineers Philadelphia District announced it will draw down the reservoirs at Blue Marsh Lake and Francis E. Walter Dam in preparation for 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. The Francis E. Walter Dam is located near the confluence of Bear Creek and the Lehigh River in White Haven, Pa.

The pool level at Blue Marsh Lake will be lowered to elevation 285 down from the normal summer pool level of elevation 290 while the pool level at the Francis E. Walter Dam will be lowered to elevation 1350 down from the summer pool level of elevation 1370.

Water releases of 1500-2000 cubic feet per second began on Sept. 5. The drawdown is being done to create additional upstream runoff capacity in the reservoir.

Blue Marsh Lake was constructed in 1979 and has prevented more than $95 million in flood damages in the Schuylkill River basin. Francis E. Walter Dam was constructed in 1961 and has prevented more than $222 million in flood damages.


Contact
Steve Rochette
215-656-6432

Release no. 18-061