This page is our
Lehigh River Information Page - look for periodic updates on what
we have going on with the plan as well as feedback from the agencies.
Francis
E. Walter Dam Flow Management Working Group Website
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 April
5, 2005 - UPDATE
On April
26 we will be giving a presentation on the Lehigh
River. Yeah, you'll see a few pics of fish, and the scenery
and the bugs - but what we will really dig into are the issues
surrounding the river.
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We
will touch on it all!
Topics will be: flows, whitewater, 1,450', stratification,
Ivan, ACOE, by-pass
valves, cold water, tributaries,
AMD, and what you can do
to make the Lehigh
better! Don't know
what all of the
above means?
Come and learn. Get involved!
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Location:
Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 7215,
202 Cherry Street, Walnutport, PA 18088 - 610.767.2117
Time: 8:00 PM.
If you are in the area - please
try to check it out. Email for directions - info@flyfishpa.net
QUOTE FROM
A DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION DOCUMENT (DRBC)
"Changes
in F.E. Walter operating policies could provide flow augmentation
benefits for whitewater rafting, establishment of a naturally
reproducing trout fishery, and other purposes."
The document sited
above proves the point that changes in management at FEW could
result in a WILD TROUT FISHERY. However, the Army Corps plan
in place for 2005 WILL NOT DO THIS. Please take the time
and write the Army Corps stating you want a WILD TROUT FISHERY.
This fishery is doable, but we all need to have our voices heard.
You can log your INPUT here
on the Army Corps Francis E Walter website..
Click here
for the complete DRBC document.
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February 28, 2005 -UPDATE
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New flow plan for 2005 is pasted to
the right. This is the plan the Agencies came up with
and presented to the crowd of interested stakeholders
on Thursday at Split Rock Lodge.
As you can see - Whitewater Weekends
are about tripled...last year there were 5 - but mother
nature actually greatly increased this number since
the Lehigh was running well over 'Whitewater Release
cfs releases' most of the year. So these numbers are
just targets.
It is definitely great news to see an
increased amount of water being released, even if it
means tough going for the wade fisherman. The 250cfs
minimum is also good to see.
Remember, this is just a start and it
looks like all the parties are really into doing the
right thing for the river. We just hope this includes
cold water...since right now the plan in place for 2005
does not give is much more of that. For 2006 we are
going to stress the importance of this.
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BIG
ANNOUNCEMENT
LEHIGH
RIVER - PUBLIC MEETNG
Corps to Hold Workshop
Addressing Recreational Enhancements on the Lehigh
River
PHILADELPHIA ( Feb 8,
2005 ) --- The Corps of Engineers, in partnership
with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Delaware
River Basin Commission announce today that they have
begun the process to explore potential recreational
enhancements along the Lehigh River and will conduct
a public information workshop facilitated by the Wildlands
Conservancy Feb. 24, at the Split
Rock Lodge, One Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, Pa.
from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
The next step in this
process is to enlist public participation by providing
them historical information about the process, discussing
long-term objectives for Francis E. Walter Dam flow
management, proposing a short-term plan, and addressing
the need for further study and analysis.
At the heart of the
process are the public and how its needs will influence
future flow management decisions. The public is invited
to attend the workshop that will include several formal
presentations and then be followed by the opportunity
to discuss the process with the Corps and its partners
at their respective booths.
The Corps and its partners
will continue to encourage the public to participate
in the process and provide us written comments through
the mail or email via the project website which will
be announced at the workshop.
Prior to the information
workshop, there will be a networking session from
6:30 pm until 7 pm. The information workshop will
be held in the Galleria's Keystone Ballroom from 7
to 9 pm.
For further information
please contact Merv Brokke, Philadelphia District,
at 215 656 6032 or email mervin.e.brokke@usace.army.mil
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February 21, 2005 - Lehigh River
Data
The meeting is this week - we hope
to see you there!!! Show your support for fishery!!
When I posted the chart below I forgot to add the amount
of storage broken down in gallons. It is quite evident
the bulk of storage in FEW is at the top.
Also - Here is a note from the Army
Corps about Ivan:
'At water levels not seen since the twin storms Connie
and Diane in 1955, the damage was considerable, especially
lower down the main stem of the Delaware between Easton
and Trenton.'
Read more about it here.
Switching Gears...The local limestoners right now
are running crystal clear. Every year about this time
they do this as a result of a high percentage of the groundwater
and seeps being locked up frozen. One stream I stopped
and took a look at just the other day - was looking like
an aquarium. The normal limestone chalky green was not
there at all. Thus the fish were not to be found. Where
do they go?!?
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February 12, 2005
- Lehigh River Data
Charted below are some pretty interesting
numbers. The first item that jumps to out is the 1,417'
elevation. When FEW is at this elevation - only 1/2
or 50% of Allotted Flood Storage Capacity is being
utilized. It is really amazing that the level of FEW
can rise more than 100' and not even use 50% of the
Flood Storage. This demonstrates the potential depth
that water - coldwater - can be released. Just think
what this could do to the fishery.
For some good data on what the reservoir
looked like when Ivan rolled through, click on the
graphic below.
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February
6, 2005 - Update
BIG
ANNOUNCEMENT
This
week we should get confirmation on a public forum -
to be held by the Army Corps of Engineers - about future
management of the Lehigh and FEW.
If you fish, raft,
reside in the watershed or just plain care about the
Lehigh River, then this meeting is for you. Come out
and share your views on how it should be managed - which
we here at FFPA, llc feel is to its FULLEST POTENTIAL!!!
Pun intended!!!! Support is what we need right now.
For background materials
- check out the links below. The DRBC completed this
study back in August 2004 and is called Flow Strategy
for the Delaware River. There is some great information
about the Lehigh.
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