Lehigh River (PA)
The Lehigh River is a pretty dam-controlled river in eastern Pennsylvania. It offers paddlers several sections of good class III rapids in a forested river corridor. It also is the first (or only) taste of whitewater that many people in the Philadelphia area get to experience. The river is very important to the regional paddling and angling communities, to the outfitters and communities that benefit from recreation, and to the thousands of rafting participants that get to enjoy the river.
On Feb. 8, 2005, The Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Delaware River Basin Commission announced that they would begin the process of exploring potential recreational enhancements along the Lehigh River. The announcement came as the result of several years of advocacy by AW, the Lehigh Valley Canoe Club, and other groups. The process was designed to allow the ACOE to propose changes to the management of the Lehigh River and recieve public feedback on those proposals.
AW and LVCC had been advocating for better management of the Lehigh since at least 2001. Initially we were told that a low road across the dam limited their operational flexibility, but we then worked with political representatives to secure funding for a better road across the top of the dam. In 2003 ground was broken on the project and shortly thereafter the ACOE began considering new dam operations. In 2005 they tried a new flow regime in the river which provided additional benefits to river recreationists, and in 2006 they improved upon the 2005 plan. It is quite possible that 2006 marked the best year of boating on the Lehigh since the dam was built. Since then, the Corps has done a great job of addressing recreational needs for whitewater boating and the collaborative approach to management is a model for other Corps-managed facilities.
We commend the Army Corps of Engineers for their willingness to tackle this issue. They held open public meetings and solicited public comments on their ideas and actions. The level of collaboration was truly exceptional and the results are hard to deny. It is certain that the economic benefits of the new management will be felt in rural areas around the Lehigh, and that more people from surrounding urban areas will get out and experience nature first-hand.
Background
Army Corps Study Threatens Lehigh River Boating
01/03/2020 - by Bob Nasdor
Paddlers on the Lehigh River below the Francis E. Walter Dam and Reservoir are concerned that a planned study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will lead to a reduction in whitewater boating opportunities on the Lehigh. The study will evaluate the feasibility of various alternatives to optimize project operation. Aside from the project's authorized primary missions of flood risk management and recreation, the study will also consider water supply and water quality, to identify possible improvements to the existing structure, infrastructure, and operations that will support current and future demands within the region. The Army Corps is holding a public meeting on January 9, 2020 at the Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven, PA from 6-8 p.m. to explain the study and hear public comments. American Whitewater, Appalachian Mountain Club, and other organizations are expected to file comments with the Army Corps prior to the September 29th deadline in order to share our concerns about the study and potential impacts on boating, the outdoor recreation economy, and the Delaware RIver Basin. We encourage our members to attend the public meeting to voice their concerns.
Successful Season on the Lehigh
10/12/2011 - by Kevin Colburn
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District announced it will begin drawing
down the pool of the Francis E. Walter Dam to its winter level starting Oct. 17. The draw down
follows the completion of the recreation season, which included
all 24 planned whitewater release events and numerous fisheries enhancement
releases
February Lehigh Meeting Rescheduled
01/21/2011 - by Kevin Colburn
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners rescheduled a meeting originally planned for 2/1/11, to 2/16/11. The Army Corps will announce the Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management Plan and discuss its implementation for the 2011 recreation season.
Corps Announces Lehigh Water Shortage (PA)
08/20/2010 - by Kevin Colburn
The U.S. Army Corps Engineers Philadelphia District has updated the Francis E. Walter Dam water release schedule for the remainder of the 2010 recreation season. The current level of water storage will not allow the Corps to complete whitewater releases after Aug. 29; however if additional storage is accumulated, the Corps will add releases.
Lehigh Management Plan to be Released at Meeting
02/14/2010 - by Kevin Colburn
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners will host a public meeting to announce the Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management Plan and discuss its implementation for the 2010 recreation season. The meeting will be held Feb. 18 at the Mountain Laurel Resort, Route 940 West, White Haven, Pa., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The contacts below include staff and volunteers working on this project. Make sure you are logged in if you wish to join the group.
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Associated Rivers
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Lehigh Valley Canoe Club
Lehigh Valley, PA
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Events
| Lehigh River Release |
White Haven,PA
runs 05/10/08 - 08/18/19 [+] favorites |
(iCal)