FEWalter Dam level

[KeviR]

Anybody know why USACE is raising the level of the FEWalter dam? It normally is kept at 1300' during winter, but in the last couple weeks, they have started holding back outflow and raising the level. Today the elevation is 1317' or so. I checked the USACE web pages and didn't find any relevant info about it.
It seems like it might be related to the low rainfall recently. Maybe they are worried about not being able to maintain adequate flows in the river if it continues?
I looked at a few postings on F-book, but I don't have an account, so F-book won't let me scroll down through past posts. Is there somewhere else they routinely post these minor announcements other than F-book?

 

[Mike]

As you suggest, I think water conservation might be a reasonable hypothesis. After all, I think we’re down about 9” in the Lehigh Valley for the year.

 

[lars]

Salt line on the Delaware is still a concern and with the lack of rain they have to release water to keep it from getting to the intakes for Philly's water supply. I guess they're trying to keep any they get. I heard they're releasing from Beltsville and Blue Marsh to contribute to the flows.

 

[Mike]

As you suggest, I think water conservation might be a reasonable hypothesis. After all, I think we’re down about 9” in the Lehigh Valley for the year.

Checked that! Not 9” down for the year; it’s nearly 9” (8.8”) down for the past 90 days in the Lehigh Valley and 3.4” below avg for the year.

 

[Troutmeister]

Francis Walter a couple weeks ago.

 

[Millsertime]

Does anybody know if you can fish the reservoir (above dam) when it's that low? I would assume all fish would congregate in remaining water? Sounds like a fun day on a boat but maybe not ethical 🤣

 

[Troutmeister]

Don't know if you can put a boat on it, but people were bank fishing and the people at the base of the tower in my pic were fishing.

 

[Mike]

View attachment 1641238846
Salt line on the Delaware is still a concern and with the lack of rain they have to release water to keep it from getting to the intakes for Philly's water supply. I guess they're trying to keep any they get. I heard they're releasing from Beltsville and Blue Marsh to contribute to the flows.

Yesterday the salt line was at River Mile (RM) 89.5, which is 3 RM downstream from the Schuylkill R mouth (RM 92.47).

 

[KeviR]

Does anybody know if you can fish the reservoir (above dam) when it's that low? I would assume all fish would congregate in remaining water? Sounds like a fun day on a boat but maybe not ethical 🤣

The lowest the lake has been this fall is the normal winter level, 1300' elevation. I think I read that the surface area is 100 acres at that level. I'm pretty sure boating and fishing are still allowed.

 

[LehighRegular]

Anybody know why USACE is raising the level of the FEWalter dam? It normally is kept at 1300' during winter, but in the last couple weeks, they have started holding back outflow and raising the level. Today the elevation is 1317' or so. I checked the USACE web pages and didn't find any relevant info about it.
It seems like it might be related to the low rainfall recently. Maybe they are worried about not being able to maintain adequate flows in the river if it continues?
I looked at a few postings on F-book, but I don't have an account, so F-book won't let me scroll down through past posts. Is there somewhere else they routinely post these minor announcements other than F-book?

They increased the flow/release on Friday to 600-ish CFS. Pool is now dropping. Lowered the release today to 400 cfs - 290 cfs is the inflow.