Header Images

 

Site Title

NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT

Public Affairs Menu

Redirecting...

News Release Manager

Corps supports kayakers, rafters on Westfield River with Knightville Dam white water releases in Huntington

Published March 20, 2014

CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases of water will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Knightville Dam in Huntington, Mass., starting on the afternoon of Friday, March 28, 2014 and running through Sunday, March 30 or until the volume of water for release is depleted, to provide adequate river flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting, according to Corps of Engineers officials.

 

The Corps of Engineers will provide a water release flow from Knightville Dam of 900 cubic feet per second (cfs) starting Friday afternoon about 2:30 p.m. and running through Sunday or until the volume of water for release is depleted, according to Park Ranger Edwin Lippman at Knightville Dam in Huntington. Depending on the weather, the Corps anticipates about 50 to 150 people taking advantage of the water release for recreational purposes.   

 

The water release serves a dual purpose as the Corps of Engineers is required to release the winter pool of water at Knightville Dam prior to April 1, 2014 to allow Atlantic salmon smolts to migrate downstream.

 

Knightville Dam, on the Westfield River in Huntington, Mass., was constructed at a cost of $3.3 million. The 1,200-foot-long, 150-foot-high dam can impound a 49,000-acre-foot reservoir (equivalent to 15.8 billion gallons of water). 

 

Since its construction in 1941, the project has prevented flood damages of $335.9 million. More than 41,000 annual visitors enjoy the variety of recreational pursuits available at Knightville, including picnicking, hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in season.

 

Another white water release from Knightville Dam is scheduled for April 19-20, 2014. The water releases that support these recreational activities are subject to an adquate volume of water being available for release and could be cancelled during low flow or high flow events.  

 

For up-to-date information call the Park Ranger staff at Knightville Dam at (413) 667-3430 or visit the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/KnightvilleDam.aspx.

 


Contact
Tim Dugan
978-318-8264
cenae-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 2014-029