Water Management

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Water Management

Known as the Headwaters District, the Pittsburgh District is comprised of the Ohio River drainage basin above New Martinsville, West Virginia. The District covers an area of approximately 67,000 square kilometers (26,000 square miles), including portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Major river systems within the Pittsburgh District include the upper Ohio, the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Beaver. The District manages 16 flood control and multipurpose reservoirs with a combined capacity of over 3.8 billion cubic meters (3 million acre feet) and 23 navigation locks and dams on 530 kilometers (330 miles) of navigable waterways. In addition, the District operates Lake Milton for the state of Ohio. Pittsburgh District Water Management provides accurate and timely information on conditions at Corps of Engineers reservoirs, as well as levels along rivers and streams within the Pittsburgh District.

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Reservoir Conditions

Daily Reservoir Summary - Current and expected pool levels and releases for the next five days. Graphical reservoir pool, inflow, and outflow forecasts ere shown on the Daily Reservoir Plots.

The U.S. Geological Survey provides statewide lake and reservoir tables for:

NOTE - Between January 2010 and January 2012, the Pittsburgh District converted all reservoir pool gages from the NGVD29 datum to the NAVD88 datum. The Corps has prepared a brochure explaining the datums. Questions about our Water Management program or conditions at Corps of Engineers reservoirs, as well as levels along rivers and streams within the Pittsburgh District, can be addressed to our Reservoir Control Center at (412)395-7300.

River Conditions

Data are obtained by satellite telemetry from field gaging stations and Hydro Lab units, and are NOT CHECKED OR VERIFIED before being posted.

Water Quantity and Quality Data for the Region

The U.S. Geological Survey provides statewide streamflow tables for:

The National Weather Service AHPS provides current and forecast river data for the Pittsburgh Area.

Weekend Recreation Outlook

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Conemaugh-Kiski Weekend Recreation Outlook

Updated on 9 July 2020

Current and forecast lake levels and releases can be found on the Daily Reservoir Report.

Today, Conemaugh Lake is at 903.8' (NAVD88) and rising slowly. The project is currently releasing 370 cfs, but plans to increase to 435 cfs Saturday morning, and hold that throughout the rest of the weekend. The Vandergrift stage is currently at 3.2' but should rise to 3.4’ Saturday morning then start falling slowly throughout the rest of the weekend.

The current Vandergrift river stage and weather forecast are provided by the National Weather Service.

Our primary reference for canoeing information is the Canoeing Guide to Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. It indicates levels that are recommended limits for safe canoeing on the Conemaugh and Kiski.

Note: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of this Web site or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and MWR sites, the U.S. Army does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Web site.

Long Term Outlook

As always, we are operating Conemaugh and Loyalhanna Lakes in accordance to their authorized project purpose of flood control. Operations (gate changes) can only be made for project purposes for which storage has been allocated. Any other project purposes (i.e., recreation) are accommodated to the extent feasible.

Yough Weekend Recreation Outlook

Updated on 9 July 2020

Current and forecast lake levels and releases can be found on the Daily Reservoir Report.

Today, Youghiogheny Lake is at 1431.5' (NAVD88) and slowly falling. The project is currently releasing 490 cfs, but we anticipate opening to 800 cfs Friday afternoon and hold that until Sunday afternoon. We will reduce flows should the river rise due to runoff from any scattered thunderstorms that occur over the weekend. The Ohiopyle gage is currently at 1.5' and rising, but is expected to rise to 2.1’ Friday afternoon and then slowly fall, staying between 1.8' and 2.0' throughout the weekend.

The Corps of Engineers continues to encourage the public to review the river conditions and evaluate their personal capabilities prior to engaging in recreational activities on the river.

The current Ohiopyle river stage and weather forecast are provided by the National Weather Service. The NWS river models always include the effects of expected future Corps operations.

Lake recreation users can call (814) 395-3166 for the current recorded information message on daily pool and outflow levels, safety, recreation, special events and fishing.

You can also call Ohiopyle State Park at (724) 329-8591 to hear a recorded message giving the daily stage reading.

Long Term Outlook

As always, we are operating Youghiogheny River Lake in accordance with its authorized project purposes of flood control, water quality control, and water supply. Operations (gate changes) can only be made for project purposes for which storage has been allocated. Other project purposes (i.e., fish and wildlife enhancement and recreation) are accommodated to the extent feasible. We continue to attempt to operate the project considering the needs of recreation users both on the lake and the river.

The outlooks above are generally updated every Thursday during recreation season.