21 Sep 2021

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

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.   

30 Aug 2021

Army Corps to draw down reservoirs at Francis E. Walter Dam and Blue Marsh Lake in advance of Hurricane Ida

The U.S. Army Corps Engineers Philadelphia District has announced it will draw down the reservoirs at Blue Marsh Lake and Francis E. Walter Dam in preparation for significant forecasted rainfall associated with Hurricane Ida. Blue Marsh Lake is located on the Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, about four miles northwest of Reading, Pa. Francis E. Walter Dam is located at the confluence of the Lehigh River and Bear Creek in Luzerne and Carbon Counties, Pa.