Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced $8.65 million in federal funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the water infrastructure projects in the Lehigh Valley. The funding comes from the FY23 allocation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Blue Marsh Lake will receive $6,000,000, on top of the $1,650,000 it received last year and Beltzville Lake Dam will receive $2,650,000, on top of the $1,400,000 it received last year.
“Blue Marsh Dam is integral to preventing flood damage in Berks County, while in Carbon County, the Beltzville Dam mitigates flood damage and controls water supply,” said Senator Casey. “This new funding from the infrastructure law will help keep the dams on these lakes functional and make it possible for local residents and visitors to swim, fish and enjoy time outdoors with their loved ones.”
The funding for Blue Marsh Lake will allow the Army Corps to procure and install an emergency generator at the operating tower, replace maintenance equipment, repair pavement, including on access roads, and reduce lead paint on a bridge to the operating tower. The Blue Marsh Dam is an integral part of the Schuylkill River Flood Control Program and has prevented more than $109 million in flood damages in the Schuylkill River basin.
The funding for Beltzville Lake will go to rehabilitating the emergency flood control gate, repairing an instrumentation vault on the embankment and reducing lead paint in the operating tower and the water supply valve. Beltzville Lake is a multi-purpose project aimed at water supply control, flood management and recreation. The project has prevented cumulative damages of over $63 million in damages from its construction in 1972.
