CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, plans for releases from Ball Mountain Dam and Townshend Dam in Jamaica and Townshend, Vermont, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, 2016 to provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting on the West River. This release is subject to change or cancellation, if conditions require.

Park gates will be open from about 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to welcome the approximately 800 participants the Corps expects to turn out for the event. The Corps plans to release about 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for both Ball Mountain and Townshend Dams on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25. Releases from Ball Mountain on Saturday, Sept. 24 will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m. or until the stored water is depleted. The 8-mile run from Ball Mountain Dam to Townsend Lake has class I-IV rapids.

Ball Mountain Dam, on the West River in Jamaica, was constructed in 1961 to reduce flooding, at a cost of $11 million. The 915‑foot‑long, 265‑foot‑high dam can impound 54,600‑acre‑feet or 17.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $177.7 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 33,700-acre‑feet or 10.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $144.1 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: www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/BallMountainLake.aspx.