Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced $46.96 million in federal funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania, stretching from Somerset County to Clinton County. The funding comes from the FY23 allocation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Army Corps projects receiving funding include: Alvin R. Bush Dam (Clinton County), Curwensville Lake (Clearfield County), Foster Joseph Sayers Dam (Centre County), flooding prevention in Johnstown (Cambria County), Conemaugh River Lake (Indiana County) and Youghiogheny River Lake (Somerset County).
“Water infrastructure plays a critical role in local economies across Pennsylvania, from Somerset County to Clinton County,” said Senator Casey. “Thanks to the infrastructure law, more Pennsylvanians can live without fear of major flooding damage and local residents and visitors alike can enjoy our abundant natural resources.”
Clinton County
The Army Corps is receiving $17,300,000 for the Alvin R. Bush Dam project to stabilize eroding and crumbling rock walls at the dam spillway and outlet channel. The funding will also be used to re-pave access roads. The dam reduces flood heights of Kettle Creek below the dam and of the West Branch below the mouth of Kettle Creek.
Clearfield County
For Curwensville Lake, the Army Corps is receiving $250,000 to flush relief wells of the dam. The dam reduces the flood heights along the West branch below the dam and provides a lake for recreation.
Centre County
The Army Corps is receiving $300,000 for the Foster Joseph Sayers Dam to repave deteriorating dam access roads.
Cambria County
The Army Corps is receiving $5,000,000 for aid in flood prevention and mitigation in Johnstown by removing excess vegetation, restoring concrete and other work. This funding brings the project’s total IIJA funding to $5,300,000.
Huntingdon County
For Raystown Lake, the Army Corps is receiving $20,000,000, bringing the project’s IIJA total funding to $20,655,000. The funding will be used to reconstruct slab joints in Tainter Gate spillway and perform concrete repairs. The Army Corps will also replace service and emergency gates. Raystown Lake is the largest lake located entirely in Pennsylvania and offers 8,300 surface acres of clear water surrounded by 21,000 acres of forested mountain slopes. Raystown is a multi-purpose lake used for flood damage reduction, recreation and natural resource opportunities, and hydropower.
Indiana County
The Army Corps is receiving $1,000,000 for dredging in the Conemaugh River Lake, bringing the project’s total IIJA funding to $1,150,000. Conemaugh Dam provides flood protection for the lower Conemaugh Valley, the Kiskiminetas Valley, the lower Allegheny Valley and the upper Ohio River Valley. Since its completion, Conemaugh Dam has prevented more than $2.2 billion in flood damage.
Somerset County
For Youghiogheny River Lake, the Army Corps is receiving $3,110,000, bring the project’s IIJA total funding to $3,135,000. The funding will be used to replace dam sluice gates, clean and reseal spillway joints and pave the maintenance parking lot and dam access roads. Since its completion, the Youghiogheny project has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $569 million.
