PITTSBURGH — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is informing the public that its flood risk management reservoirs in the Mahoning River Valley are in the process of returning to normal summer levels following last weekend’s high water event.
The Allegheny, Ohio and Monongahela rivers and their major tributaries are below flood stage and falling. No navigational impacts are forecasted at this time.
The district has 88 percent of its total flood-control capacity available. The Beaver Basin has 68 percent of its total flood-control capacity available.
Currently, all the district’s reservoirs have used under 15 percent of their total flood-control capacity, with the exception of:
• Tionesta: 21 percent, up from 15 percent on June 21
• East Branch: 24 percent, up from 16 percent on June 21
• M.J. Kirwan: 35 percent, down from 44 percent on June 21
• Berlin: 36 percent, down from 92 percent on June 21
• Mosquito: 20 percent, down from 51 percent on June 21
• Shenango: 25 percent, down from 28 percent on June 21
“Our water management team operated each of our reservoirs in accordance with their intended missions. We increased releases to match necessary flood storage capacities where and when they were needed,” said Col. Andrew Short, commander, Pittsburgh District. “However, some of our recreation sites have seen high water, and I encourage the public to check each site prior to visiting the facility.”
Several recreational facilities across the district are still closed. Berlin’s campgrounds are currently closed, as well as the Tionesta boat launch facilities. Shenango’s campgrounds and recreational areas are closed, with the exception of Shenango’s Mahaney recreational area, which is open.
“Although the water is subsiding at many of our recreational sites, I ask that our visitors stay mindful of their personal safety and not drive or wade through standing water,” stated Short.
When a storm approaches, the Corps keeps space in its 16 reservoirs to capture up to 33 percent of the precipitation and runoff that falls within the upper Ohio River Basin. To date, these reservoirs have prevented nearly $33.6 billion in flood damages across the basin. Mosquito, Kirwan and Berlin lakes, combined, have prevented $7.9 billion in flood damages.
Live reservoir pools and releases can be found at http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water-Management/Reservoir-Pools-and-Releases/
For water management information including daily reservoirs reports and river gage data, visit https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water-Management/.
Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland and southwestern New York. It includes more than 328 miles of navigable
waterways, 23 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood control reservoirs, 42 local flood-protection projects and other projects to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources infrastructure and environment.
