WHO: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District
WHAT: The Corps of Engineers is conducting a stakeholders meeting and a public meeting to discuss the progress and activities of its East Branch Dam Safety Project and the lake’s Water Control Manual update (see paragraph below for more info on water control manuals). The goal of the stakeholders’ meeting is to update local partners and agencies about the progress that has been made on the Dam Safety Project since the September meeting. The stakeholders will in turn provide an update about their organization’s efforts throughout the region. The goal of the public meeting is to provide an update about the Dam Safety Project and revisions to the lake’s Water Control Manual, and to give the community the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback about both topics.
WHEN/WHERE:
Stakeholders Meeting, Thursday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the East Branch Dam Maintenance Building, 631 East Branch Dam Road, Wilcox, PA 15870
Public Meeting, Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Johnsonburg High School Auditorium, 315 High School Road, Johnsonburg, PA 15845
WHY: Public safety is the number one priority of the Corps' Dam Safety Program. In 2008, the Pittsburgh District initiated a dam safety investigation into seepage-related concerns at East Branch Clarion River Lake near Johnsonburg in Western Pennsylvania. To reduce the risk to the public, Pittsburgh District implemented several interim risk reduction measures including increased monitoring, 24 hours-seven-days-a-week staffing, updated emergency action plans, and reduced water levels in the reservoir to relieve pressure on the dam. These and other short-term actions allow us to operate the dam and to meet our public safety objective until long term repairs are complete. A Dam Safety Modification Study was completed and approved in October 2010, and recommends a cutoff wall be constructed within the dam. Approval to initiate construction was received in August 2011. The first construction contract for site development was awarded in September 2011. We are currently preparing to issue the RFP for construction of the cutoff wall .
WHAT IS A WATER CONTROL MANUAL? A water control manual defines the amount of water stored and released during normal operations throughout the year, as well as operations during emergencies and seasonal events such as droughts and floods. For more information visit: http://tinyurl.com/bo9wog3
(Copy and paste this address in your browser if it doesn’t automatically open when you click.)
For more information, visit: www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lakes/EastBranchClarionRiverLake.aspx
CONTACT: Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or Email: EastBranch@usace.army.mil
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