WEST HICKORY — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will release water from the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River Monday through Thursday of next week.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will use sonar to measure and record the shape of the river bottom to better understand and evaluate underwater conditions for fish and mussels.
The test release is within the normal flow range and will not affect river conditions for recreation or landowners along the river. This is part of a multi-year joint effort by the Corps and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to help the Corps manage flows from their dams along the Allegheny River to better mimic the natural flows of the river.
“This is an incredible opportunity to learn about ways we can continue to improve the environment through innovative operations of our reservoirs,” said Col. Andrew “Coby” Short, commander, Pittsburgh District. “We’re thankful for the strong partnership we enjoy with The Nature Conservancy, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Forest Service. Their expertise and participation is vital to the work we do every day to enhance the quality of the environment and the quality of life for citizens of this region.”
“This is a unique opportunity to better gain an understanding of the habitat of one of the most densely populated reaches for freshwater mussels in the Allegheny River,” said Eric Chapman, director of aquatic science at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
“This is truly a team effort,” said Brad Maurer, restoration engineer for TNC. “We don’t know what the bottom of the river looks like. By getting this new data, we can understand the river and the life in it, which will allow us to develop scientific models we haven’t been able to before,” Maurer said.
The Allegheny River is 325 miles long. The Allegheny River watershed, which includes tributaries Conewango Creek, French Creek, and the Clarion River, covers over 11,500 square miles in Pennsylvania and New York.
On Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, the group will conduct a similar study in Tidioute, approximately eight miles from the initial site to gain additional information about mussel habitat along the river.
Kinzua Dam releases influence almost 200 miles of the Allegheny River. Along with Kinzua Dam, the Army Corps of Engineers operates eight lock and dam systems on the Allegheny River and four other dams in the Allegheny watershed.
