CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases of water will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Otter Brook Lake Dam in Keene, New Hampshire, on May 3-4, 2014 to provide adequate river flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on Otter Brook, according to Corps of Engineers officials.

The Corps of Engineers will provide water release flows from Otter Brook Lake  Dam of approximately 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 from  about 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, according to Project Manager James Lewis of Otter Brook Lake in Keene.

The water release on Sunday will support the American Canoe Association, New Hampshire Whitewater Championship event.  

Depending on the weather, the Corps anticipates about 40 to 60 participants and spectators each day 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 Otter Brook Lake Dam on Otter Brook in Keene was completed in 1958 at a cost of $4.4 million. The 133‑foot‑high, 1,288‑foot‑long dam can impound a reservoir with a storage capacity of 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 damages. Since the construction in 1958, the dam has prevented flood damages of $46.8 million ($97.8 million adjusted for inflation). 

More than 39,000 visitors annually enjoy the swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing and hunting available at the 458‑acre facility.

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