CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District plans controlled releases of water from Otter Brook Dam in Keene, New Hampshire, on Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6, 2018.
The water release on Saturday, May 5 is to provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on the Otter Brook.
The water release on Sunday, May 6 will support the American Canoe Association, New Hampshire Whitewater Championship Race event. It is anticipated that approximately 40 to 50 people will take advantage of the water release during this event.
The planned flows will be approximately 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) starting at about 9 a.m. both days and continuing until about 3 p.m. or until the volume of water stored for the release is depleted. This water release is subject to change or cancellation if conditions require.
Construction of Otter Brook Dam was completed in 1958 at a cost of $4.4 million. The 133‑foot‑high, 1,288‑foot‑long dam can impound about 5.7 billion gallons of water. During the 1987 flood, this dam utilized 100 percent of its storage capacity and prevented $3.6 million in flood damages.
Since the construction in 1958, the dam has prevented flood damages of $47.4 million ($98.4 million, adjusted for inflation). More than 39,000 visitors annually enjoy swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing and hunting on the 458‑acre facility.
This event is subject to an adequate volume of water being available for release and could be cancelled or modified if conditions require.
For more information contact the Park Ranger staff at Otter Brook Lake at (603) 352-4130 or visit the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/OtterBrookLake.aspx.