Corps Takes Action to Prevent Flooding in Mahoning River Valley

Published June 21, 2019

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 increasing water releases in an effort to regain critical reservoir storage.

During the last seven days Pittsburgh District has received between 1 to 5 inches of rainfall across the district watershed. The heaviest of which, 5 inches, fell within the Mahoning River Basin during that time. 

The Corps’ Berlin Lake reservoir in northeast Ohio is currently using 91 percent of their flood storage and will increase releases to create storage space for future rainfall.

“These measures are intended to minimize the risk of uncontrolled flooding, and ensure the district is poised to handle more precipitation when it occurs,” said Col. Andrew Short, commander, Pittsburgh District. “Increased release levels are never taken lightly, and always conducted with an abundance of caution.”

Short stated that the district will continue to monitor the high water situation and is prepared to react to any possible changes.

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.

For more information about flood preparedness visit: https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Management/Flood-Preparedness/.

For water management information including daily reservoirs reports and river gage data, please 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.  

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Know.Take.Wear. Know the waterways. Take a safety course. Wear your life jacket.

 

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Contact
Carol Vernon, PAO Chief
412-395-7500/01/02
celrp-pa@usace.army.mil
1000 Liberty Avenue, 22nd Floor

Release no. 19-008