Francis E. Walter Dam -- The U.S. Army Corps Engineers’ Philadelphia District shared the 2026 Recreation Plan for the Francis E. Walter Dam. The plan specifies dates and actions associated with whitewater and fishing releases from the dam from late March to early October of 2026. USACE coordinates the plan with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
In 2026, the plan includes 24 whitewater releases and 22 fishing enhancement releases (unchanged from prior years). Dates for fishing releases and whitewater releases are noted below. Several dates are dependent on adequate water storage in the reservoir. It’s important to note that the need for flood control operations could result in the cancellation of any scheduled dates.
Whitewater Releases Schedule (dates with * are dependent on adequate water storage):
May: 9, 16, 23, 24
June: 6, 7, 20, 21
July: 11, 12, 25, 26
August: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29*, 30*
September: 5, 6
October: as provided by end of year releases
Fishing Enhancement Releases Schedule
Planned dates (16) for fishing releases (target 400cfs*)
*March: 21, 22, 28, 29
*April: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
*May: 2, 3, 10, 17
* Release will be set to match inflow with a target release up to 400cfs. Inflow will not be augmented by
use of storage to satisfy the 400cfs target.
Planned dates (6) for fishing releases (target 350 cubic feet per second**) are:
**September: 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
More details are available at: https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Francis-E-Walter-Dam/Flow-Management-Plan-Schedule/