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

USACE Philadelphia District
Published Sept. 21, 2021

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.   

Blue Marsh Lake was constructed in 1979 and has prevented more than $95 million in flood damages in the Schuylkill River basin.


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

Release no. 21-029