Corps supports paddlers on Ashuelot River with white water releases from Surry Mountain Dam

SURRY, NH, UNITED STATES

04.23.2019

Story by Timothy Dugan 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District

CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, plans controlled releases from Surry Mountain Dam, in Surry, New Hampshire, on Saturday, April 27, 2019, to provide flows for recreational canoeing and kayaking on the Ashuelot River. This release is subject to change or cancellation, if conditions require.

The Corps of Engineers will provide flows of approximately 275 cubic feet per second (cfs) from about 5 a.m. until about 1 p.m. or until the water stored for the event is depleted.

This water release will support the annual Ashuelot River Canoe Race which has been held for about 30 years. The Corps anticipates about 150 participants and 300 spectators, depending on the weather, will take advantage of the release.

Construction of Surry Mountain Dam was completed in 1941 at a cost of $2.8 million. The 1,800 foot long, 86 foot high dam has a reservoir storage capacity of 10.6 billion gallons of water. During the 1987 flood, this dam utilized 100 percent of its storage capacity and prevented $8 million in flood damages.

Since construction in 1941, the dam has prevented flood damages estimated at $160.5 million ($382.7 million, adjusted for inflation). Surry Mountain Lake provides recreational opportunities, such as fishing, swimming and boating to 58,000 visitors annually.

For more information on Surry Mountain Lake contact the Park Ranger staff at [phone] or [phone] or visit the website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/SurryMountainLake.aspx.

Follow the Corps’ New England District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CorpsNewEngland; on Twitter at twitter.com/CorpsNewEngland; and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/usacenewengland/.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2019
• Date Posted: 04.24.2019 11:45
• Story ID: 319272
• Location: SURRY, NH, US