Monday, May 16, 2011

Boaters, Anglers Should Be Aware of Floating and Semi-Submerged Debris

     Port Deposit, MD -- Due to the increased rain in the Susquehanna River watershed this spring, the Susquehanna River was flowing high but is beginning to return to normal spring flows. The Conowingo Dam had been in spill with a number of crest gates open. The crest gates are located on the east side of the Dam, and allow excess water to pass directly thru the Conowingo Dam.
 As of Wednesday, May 11, these crest gates have been closed, but shoreline and boating anglers are warned that river flows may rise again due to predicted rainfall within the watershed. When the Conowingo Dam is in spill condition, fishing in the Conowingo tailrace is prohibited due to safety concerns. These high flows have also increased floating and semi-submerged debris into the Chesapeake Bay and boaters are warned to take caution while in Bay waters.
     Anglers are advised to call the Conowingo Generation Hotline at 888-457-4076, which gives the number of units operating; and the Conowingo Spill Hotline, 877-457-2525, which gives the number of crest gates open.
     In addition, the USGS website has weekly flow graphs that present flow data at Conowingo Dam, although flow is trending down more rainfall in the upper watershed is expected, and flows at Conowingo Dam may increase.

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