CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Ball Mountain Dam and Townshend Dam in Jamaica and Townshend, Vermont, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, 2014 to provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
Park gates will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to welcome approximately 800 participants the Corps expects to turn out to enjoy this white water event. The Corps expects to release about 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for both Ball Mountain and Townshend Dams from about 10 a.m. until about 2 p.m. on both days. These flows will allow canoeists, kayakers, and rafters to enjoy the river. The 8-mile run from Ball Mountain Dam to Townsend Lake has class I-IV rapids.
The water releases that support these recreational activities are subject to an adequate volume of water being available and could be cancelled or modified during low flow or high flow events.
Ball Mountain Dam, on the West River in Jamaica, was constructed at a cost of $11 million in 1961 to reduce flooding. The 915‑foot‑long, 265‑foot‑high dam can impound a 54,600‑acre‑foot reservoir, which is equivalent to 17.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $162.2 million. The reservoir area offers many recreational opportunities, including swimming, picnicking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature study and camping at Winhall Brook Camping Area in South Londonderry. Ball Mountain welcomes more than 130,000 visitors each year.
Townshend Dam, on the West River in Townshend, is 1,700 feet long, 133 feet high and cost $7.4 million to construct. Its lake can hold a 33,700-acre‑foot reservoir with a capacity to store 10.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $137.1 million. The reservoir area offers many recreational opportunities, including swimming, picnicking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, boating and nature study and annually attracts nearly 81,000 visitors.
Ball Mountain Lake is located at 88 Ball Mountain Lane off of Route 30 or Route 100 in Jamaica. For more information on the white water event or Corps recreation there contact the Ball Mountain Lake project office at (802) 874-4881 or visit the website: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/BallMountainLake.aspx.