CONCORD, Mass. –
Controlled releases of water are planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
New England District, from Knightville Dam and Littleville Lake Dam in
Huntington, Mass., on Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17, 2016 to provide
adequate river flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on the
Westfield River, according to Corps of Engineers officials. This water release
is subject to change or cancellation, if conditions require.
The Corps of Engineers will
provide a water release flow from Knightville Dam of approximately 900 cubic
feet per second (cfs) on Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17 from about 5:30 a.m. to
3 p.m. that will support the 63rd annual Westfield River Wildwater Races,
according to Project Manager Matthew Coleman at Knightville Dam in Huntington.
Also, a flow of approximately 300 cfs will be released from Littleville Lake Dam
during those days and times.
Depending on the weather, the
Corps anticipates about 200 to 300 people taking advantage of the water release
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 or modified during low flow or high flow
conditions.
Knightville Dam 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 $338 million ($645.3 million, adjusted for inflation). 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. For details call the
Park Ranger staff at Knightville Dam at (413) 667-3430 or visit the website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/KnightvilleDam.aspx.
Littleville Lake, on the Middle Branch of the Westfield River
in Huntington and Chester, is 1,360 feet long, 164 feet high and cost $6.8 million
to construct. The reservoir can hold a 23,000-acre-foot pool or 7.5
billion-gallons. It has prevented flood damages of $152.8 million ($225 million,
adjusted for inflation) since it was placed in operation in 1965. The reservoir
area offers many recreational opportunities including picnicking, fishing,
hunting, canoeing, boating, nature study and cross country skiing and
snowmobiling (on marked trails), and attracts more than 39,000 visitors
annually.
For details on Littleville Lake call
the Park Ranger staff at (413) 667-3656 or visit the website at:
www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/LittlevilleLake.aspx.