CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases of water are planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Knightville Dam in Huntington, Mass., starting on the afternoon of Friday, March 27 and running through Sunday, March 29 or until the volume of water for release is depleted, in order 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 450 - 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) starting Friday afternoon at about 2 p.m. and running through Sunday or until the volume of water for release is depleted, according to Park Ranger Edwin Lippman at Knightville Dam in Huntington. Depending on the weather, the Corps anticipates about 50 to 150 people taking advantage of the water release for recreational purposes.   

The water release serves a dual purpose as the Corps of Engineers is required to release the winter pool of water at Knightville Dam prior to April 1, 2015 to allow Atlantic salmon smolts to migrate downstream.

Knightville Dam, on the Westfield River in Huntington, Mass., 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 (unadjusted 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 in season.

Another white water release from Knightville Dam is scheduled for April 18-19, 2015. 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 events.  

For up-to-date information call the Park Ranger staff at Knightville Dam at (413) 667-3430 or visit the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/KnightvilleDam.aspx.