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Corps supports rafters, canoeists on Ashuelot River with white water releases from Surry Mountain Dam in Surry

Published April 25, 2014

CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases of water will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Surry Mountain Lake Dam in Surry, New Hampshire, on May 3, 2014, to provide adequate river flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on the Ashuelot River, according to Corps of Engineers officials.

 

The Corps of Engineers will provide water release flows from Surry Mountain Lake Dam of approximately 275 cubic feet per second (cfs) starting late Friday, May 2, and continuing on Saturday, May 3 until the stored water for the event is depleted, according to Project Manager James Lewis of Surry Mountain Lake Dam in Surry.

 

This water release will support the annual Ashuelot River Canoe Race which has been held for about 30 years. Depending on the weather, the Corps anticipates about 150 participants and 300-plus spectators taking advantage of the water releases for recreational purposes.

 

The water releases that support these recreational activities are subject to an adequate volume of water being available for release and could be cancelled during low flow or high flow events, or storm events. 

  

Construction of Surry Mountain Lake Dam on the Ashuelot River in Surry, just north of Keene, was completed in 1941 at a cost of $2.8 million. The 1,800‑foot‑long, 86‑foot‑high dam has a reservoir storage capacity of 10.6 billion gallons of water.  During the 1987 flood, this dam utilized 100 percent of its storage capacity and prevented $8 million in damages.

 

Since construction in 1941, the dam has prevented flood damages estimated at $146.6 million ($347.6 million adjusted for inflation). Surry Mountain Lake provides recreational opportunities, such as fishing, swimming and boating to 58,000 visitors annually. 

 

For more information on Surry Mountain Lake contact the Park Ranger staff at (603) 352-2447 or (603) 352-4130 or visit the website at  http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/SurryMountainLake.aspx.


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

Release no. 2014-050