Army Corps shares details for final water releases of recreation season

USACE Philadelphia District
Published Oct. 5, 2022
The Francis E. Walter Dam has prevented more than $220 million in flood damages since its construction. It also supports recreation along the Lehigh River with planned fishing and whitewater rafting water releases.

The Francis E. Walter Dam has prevented more than $220 million in flood damages since its construction. It also supports recreation along the Lehigh River with planned fishing and whitewater rafting water releases.

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.

Upper-basin areas received more than five inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period earlier this week resulting in higher-than-expected outflows prior to the planned ramp up water releases. The current plan for the final releases is as follows:   

  • Thursday, October 6 – releases will be increased/ramped up beginning at 1:00 p.m.
  • Friday, October 7 – per the plan, Friday’s release will be 4000 cubic feet per second beginning at 1:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, October 8 - releases will be 2500 cubic feet per second. 

At that point, USACE will re-evaluate the remaining storage and assess the best utilization of the remaining water for Sunday and Monday. Updates will be posted to the Francis E. Walter Dam Facebook page. USACE anticipates drawing down the reservoir elevation to 1300 early to mid-next week.  


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

Release no. 22-022