In October 2001 several people asked American Whitewater about the Tohickon’s lost releases. American Whitewater has received the attached explanation from the Bureau of State Parks for why these releases failed to occur.
The Bureau of State Parks would like to supply the paddlingcommunity with an update as to what is happening with the dam at NockamixonState Park and the potential of rescheduling the Tohickon release. When theupper gearboxes were removed from the bunger valve it was found that itcontained approximately one of the two required gears. The replacementparts had to be manufactured, so forecasting exactly when the dam will berepaired is challenging. Currently the dam is likely to be repaired withinthe next few weeks.
However, it is a moot point at this time. A week ago the area wentinto a Drought Watch condition and Nockamixon State Park was ordered by theDepartment of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Delaware River BasinCommission (DRBC) to cut outflow from the dam to only 7 cubic feet persecond, which is half of the normal output. Even if the dam were to berepaired in a timely fashion, we would still not be able to schedule arelease on the Tohickon due to the current drought conditions. Additionalupdates will be provided as to when the dam repairs are completed and whenfuture releases would be scheduled. Pray for rain, because it looks likethe only way a release can take place would be if the drought watch were tobe lifted in this area.
Thanks,
RyanRyan Dysinger
DCNR, Bureau of State Parks
(717) 783-3312
rdysinger@state.pa.us