Water Management |
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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. The Pittsburgh District’s Water Management Branch 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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Current River Conditions – Stage, Flow and Water Quality
Reports
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.
- RiverGages.com is the Corps’ current site for presenting all available river and lake data to the public.
Other Information
- Daily Reservoir Report and Forecast - Current and expected pool levels and releases for the next three days.
- NOTE - In January 2010, the Pittsburgh District started converting reservoir pool gages from the NGVD29 datum to the NAVD88 datum. The Corps has prepared a brochure explaining the datums. The list of reservoirs which have been converted to the new NAVD88 datum in given at the bottom of the Daily Reservoir Report and Forecast
Navigation Reports
- Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers - Morning Report
- Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers - Latest Report
Yough Weekend Recreation Outlook
(The link above is generally updated every Thursday during recreation season)
Current Status
- The weather forecast for Ohiopyle is provided by the National Weather Service.
- The Daily Reservoir Report and Forecast displays current and forecasted reservoir pool levels and releases.
- The National Weather Service AHPS page shows current and forecast river stage and flow data.
- 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
We are operating under the established low water regulation schedule and will continue to maintain downstream flow schedules. Youghiogheny River Lake's ideal summer pool range is between 1438.4 and 1440.4, although downstream flow requirements usually start to draw the lake below that level by the end of June. On average, the lake can be expected to fall slowly all summer long, ending up below 1400’ by November. Special weekend releases for whitewater rafting will continue as long as the lake is still above its drought watch level.
As always, we are operating Youghiogheny River Lake in accordance with its authorized project purposes of flood control, low flow augmentation for water quality 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.
Conemaugh-Kiski Weekend Recreation Outlook
(The link above is generally updated every Thursday during recreation season)
Current Status
- The weather forecast for Vandergrift is provided by the National Weather Service.
- The Daily Reservoir Report and Forecast displays current and forecasted reservoir pool levels and releases.
- The National Weather Service AHPS page shows current and forecast river stage and flow data.
- Our primary reference for canoeing information is Roy Weil and Mary Shaw’s Canoeing Guide to Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. It indicates levels that are recommended limits for safe canoeing on the Conemaugh and Kiski.
Long Term Outlook
Both Conemaugh River Lake and Loyalhanna Lake are "flood control only" projects, thus there is no storage allocated in either lake for low flow augmentation, recreation enhancement or any other purpose. All other potential benefits can only be accommodated if there is no significant impact on their authorized purpose of flood control.
That said, during the summer recreation season, we attempt to time our operations to enhance recreational opportunities on the Kiski River, to the extent practicable. Your comments on this initiative are welcome.
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.
Links of Interest
Corps of Engineers
- Great Lakes and Ohio River Division - Pittsburgh is one of the seven districts that comprise the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. There is also a division Water Managementweb page, which provides Navigation Reports of interest to commercial navigation on the Ohio River system. The Water Management offices in those other Districts are found below.
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory maintains cameras providing views of the confluence of Oil Creek and the Allegheny River at Oil City, Pa., the site of past ice jam flooding.
Federal Government
- U.S. Geological Survey and their Water Resources information pages.
- Real-Time Hydrologic Data is available for much of the United States, including Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
- The on-line document Stream-Gaging Program of the U.S. Geological Survey provides an excellent explanation of both the administrative and technical aspects of the program.
- National Weather Service is the official source for weather, river and flood forecasts.
The Corps of Engineers does not produce or provide forecasts for the public.
- The NWS Pittsburgh web page provides easy access to weather service products in our area.
- The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provides river forecast data for the Pittsburgh Area.
- The Ohio River Forecast Center provides general and detailed data on the Ohio River system.
- The River Watch site provides current and forecast stage data for the entire Mississippi River basin.
State Agencies
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Port of Pittsburgh Commission
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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.
Updated: 02-Dec-2011