Times Observer photo by Daniella Langianese On a cloudy, cold day the water was calm behind the Kinzua Point Information Center, which is part of the Kinzua Reservoir, fed by the Allegheny.

Levels high while gage releases reservoir reserve

With the fishing season opening, some residents may find the high water levels of the Allegheny Reservoir, Kinzua Dam and surrounding areas as a hindrance or a blessing — depending on their fishing techniques.

While the National Weather Service released a warning that minor flooding in the Warren County area could cause water to build up. According to a representative Megan Gottlieb from the Army Corps of Engineers, water levels, although they will seem as they are rising and getting high, it is a fact that levels are actually one inch lower than this time last year.

In any event, of excess rain and water accumulation, Gottlieb placed fears of potential flooding at ease.

“There are two gages that read the level of the water and release excess water at a rate of every 15 minutes — they hold a specific level of water to prevent area flooding,” confirmed Gottlieb. “When there’s a rise on the Reservoir gauge, it just needs to be released.”

Frank Strumila and Toby Ruby of the U.S. Geological Survey of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“The Army Corps of Engineers controls the water flow. The gauge will release any excess water when it happens. The Army Corps of Engineers releases the water flow in order to prevent flooding,” said Ruby.

According to the records of the most recent five day summary of the Allegheny Reservoir Thursday levels totaled 1327.26; Friday levels will be 1330.26: Saturday 1333.31: Sunday 1334.14 and Monday levels will stay remotely the same at 1334.17.

However, according to the Army Corps. of Engineers a full pool level is considered to be 1364.51. They also reported the current flood storage of Allegheny Reservoir at 39,446, when the available flood storage capacity is 642,684.

For stream gages at the Allegheny River, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/current/?type=flow. Additional information about retrieving data from the gages can be found by contacting the Hydrologists at the Pennsylvania Water Science Center.

The Pittsburgh District Daily Reservoir Summary predicts a five day forecast of reservoir levels in the Pennsylvania area and is usually updated by noon, for more information visit https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/portals/72/docs/watermanagement/ressum.pdf