CONCORD, Mass. – The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District plans controlled releases of
water from Otter Brook Dam in Keene, New Hampshire, on Sunday, May 1, 2016 to
provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on Otter Brook.
This water release is subject to change or cancellation if conditions require.
The planned flows will be approximately
300 cubic feet per second (cfs) starting on Sunday, May 1 at about 9 a.m., and continuing
until about 3:30 p.m. or until the volume of water stored for the release is
depleted.
The water release will support
the American Canoe Association, New Hampshire Whitewater Championship Race
event. It is anticipated that approximately 40 to 50 people will take advantage
of the water release during this event.
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 can impound about 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 $47.4 million ($98.4 million,
adjusted for inflation). More than 39,000 visitors annually enjoy swimming,
picnicking, boating, fishing and hunting on the 458‑acre facility.
This event is subject
to an adquate volume of water being available for release and could be
cancelled or modified if conditions require.
For
more information contact the Park Ranger staff at Otter Brook Lake at (603) 352-4130 or visit the website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/OtterBrookLake.aspx.
Release no. 2016-037