Francis E. Walter Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Francis E. Walter Dam |
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Outlet and reservoir view of the Francis E. Walter Dam. The outlet can be seen at the bottom left and the reservoir at the top. Bear Creek flows into the reservoir from the left, while the Lehigh River flows from the right.
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| Official name | Francis E. Walter Dam |
| Location | Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 41°6′45″N 75°43′15″W / 41.11250°N 75.72083°W |
| Purpose | Flood control, water storage, recreation |
| Status | In use |
| Opening date | 1961 |
| Owner(s) | United States Government |
| Operator(s) | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth-fill Embankment with Rock Shell |
| Impounds | Lehigh River |
| Height (foundation) | 234 ft (71 m) |
| Length | 3,000 ft (910 m) |
| Width (crest) | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Width (base) | 1,230 ft (370 m) |
| Spillway type | Concrete |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Francis E. Walter Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 110,700 acre⋅ft (0.1365 km3) |
| Catchment area | 289 sq mi (750 km2) |
| Website Francis E. Walter Dam Flow Management Plan |
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The Francis E. Walter Dam is a large embankment dam in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA. It was built in 1961 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The dam crosses the Lehigh River where it meets Bear Creek. This creates the Francis E. Walter Reservoir.
The dam was first built to control floods. But over time, its reservoir also became a popular spot. People now enjoy fishing, kayaking, and boating there. The dam was first called Bear Creek Dam. In 1963, it was renamed after Francis E. Walter, a local United States Representative.
Contents
Dam History
Land Before Construction
The land where the dam now stands was once owned by the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. This company mined and moved coal across Pennsylvania. They bought the land hoping to build dams for power. However, the government later bought the land from them. The government wanted to build the Francis E. Walter Dam for flood control.
Flooding on the Lehigh River
Before the dam was built, the Lehigh River often had huge floods. These floods happened when large ice dams broke after heavy rain. The sudden release of water created waves as high as 30 feet. These waves destroyed everything in their path.
A famous flood happened in 1861. Ice and timber in the wave destroyed dams and locks on the river. It flooded towns hundreds of feet away from the river's usual banks.
Allowing Recreation at the Dam
In November 1988, a new law was passed by Congress. President Reagan signed this law, called the Water Resources Development Act. It allowed the Secretary of the Army to manage the Francis E. Walter Reservoir for fun activities.
The dam was only built to stop floods at first. So, the government could not officially manage it for recreation. Even so, many visitors already came to the area. After the law passed, the government could hire rangers to work there.
In 2005, several groups teamed up. These included the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. They planned how to release water from the dam. This plan helps control floods and also supports fun activities. These activities include whitewater rafting and fishing. Each year, they create a plan for water release. In summer, water is released for rafting. In fall and spring, water is kept in the reservoir. This helps fish populations grow.
Fun Activities at the Dam
Boating, Kayaking, and Canoeing
There are two places to launch boats into the reservoir. One is for motor boats. The other is for kayaks and other boats moved by people. Motor boats can only have engines up to 10 horsepower (7.5 kW). This means fast water sports like water-skiing are not possible there.
Fishing
Fishing is a very popular activity at the dam. People fish in both the reservoir and the Lehigh River. You can often catch trout and smallmouth bass. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regularly adds fish to the Lehigh River. They release brown and rainbow trout from fish farms each winter. This helps keep fish populations strong.
Other Things to Do
- There are fields for baseball, soccer, and a disc golf course near the dam.
- The dam is surrounded by Pennsylvania State Game Lands. Here, licensed hunters can hunt deer, turkey, and other animals.
- Visitors also enjoy hiking and having picnics.
