CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases of water are planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Birch Hill Dam and Tully Lake Dam, both in Royalston, Mass., on Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, 2016 to provide adequate river flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on the Millers 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 water release flows of approximately 1,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Birch Hill Dam and 300 cfs from Tully Lake Dam for the weekend events, according to Project Manager Jeffrey Mangum in Royalston. 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 conditions.

Various events by local groups are scheduled for Athol-Orange, including the 53rd annual River Rat Race on Saturday; the Sunday Pro Race on Sunday; and the Kayak Race on Sunday. For details visit their website at: www.riverratrace.com. Events by local groups scheduled in Erving include the Zoar Outdoor Rafting on Saturday and the Zoar Outdoor Rafting on Sunday. For details visit their website at: www.zoaroutdoor.com/raftingmillers.htm.

Construction of Birch Hill Dam was completed in 1942 at a cost of $4.8 million. The 1,400-foot-long, 56-foot-high dam can store 16.2 billion gallons of water. To date, flood damages amounting to more than $80.3 million ($257.9 million, adjusted for inflation) have been prevented. The state-leased Lake Dennison Recreation Area offers many recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, hunting, swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross country skiing,  and attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually. For details contact the Park Ranger staff at 978-249-4467 or visit the website at: www.nae.usace.army.mil/BirchHillDam.

Tully Lake Dam, on the East Branch of the Tully River in Royalston, is 1,570 feet long and 62 feet high. Completed in 1949 at a cost of $1.7 million, the dam has a reservoir storage capacity of 7.1 billion gallons of water. Tully Lake Dam has prevented flood damages of $29.1 million ($81.1 million, adjusted for inflation) since it was constructed. More than 100,000 visitors annually enjoy picnicking, hiking, boating, camping, mountain biking, disc golfing, fishing, hunting and cross country skiing. For details contact the Park Ranger staff at (978) 249-9150 or visit the website at: www.nae.usace.army.mil/TullyLake.