CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning controlled releases from Otter Brook Dam in Keene, New Hampshire, on May 2-3, 2015 to provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on Otter Brook and the Ashuelot River. These releases are subject to change or cancellation, if conditions require.

The Corps of Engineers will release flows of approximately 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Otter Brook  Dam on both Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 from about 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

Depending on the weather, the Corps anticipates between 40 and 60 people will take advantage of this recreational release.

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 has 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 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 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: www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/OtterBrookLake.aspx.