The Lake Wallenpaupack release that began Dec. 18 may be the longest in memory

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
Updated ·3 min read

Brookfield Renewable, owner of the Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric project, started releasing lake water over the spillway gates at the dam at noon on Dec. 18, and has continued three and a half weeks as of this Jan. 12 writing. The purpose, according to Brookfield, is a precautionary measure for flood mitigation and there is no safety concern.

Anecdotally, residents are referring to this extended release as what may be the longest in memory. Amy Burnett, senior manager of stakeholder relations/communications at Brookfield, did not respond to questions concerning that.

"Brookfield Renewable began releasing additional water via spillage from Lake Wallenpaupack due to the amount of rainfall received in the past few weeks and the steady increase in lake elevation," the statement released by Brookfield notes. "The spillage is a precautionary and routine measure to reduce the lake level." 

The statement stressed, "Again, this is a precautionary measure, part of routine operations during precipitation events, and there is no safety concern."

Burnett said they continue daily monitoring of the many factors that impact the lake elevation.

The majesty of the Paupack Falls has been witnessed from the Ledges Hotel decks in Hawley since Brookfield Renewable began releasing water to bring down the level of Lake Wallenpaupack on Dec. 18, 2023, due to excessive rain. This was the view the afternoon of Jan. 11, 2024.
The majesty of the Paupack Falls has been witnessed from the Ledges Hotel decks in Hawley since Brookfield Renewable began releasing water to bring down the level of Lake Wallenpaupack on Dec. 18, 2023, due to excessive rain. This was the view the afternoon of Jan. 11, 2024.

The water is released through the spillway gates and channeled into Wallenpaupack Creek, where it then flows into the Lackawaxen River at Hawley. The effect, as always, is spectacular as a great volume of water cascades down the rocky ravine which is normally not much more than a trickle depending on runoff. The resulting waterfall roars and sprays high in the air as it tumbles down behind the Hawley Silk Mill and past Ledges Hotel, before meeting the confluence with the Lackawaxen.

"It is quite the sight to see the dam open," said Wayne County Commissioner James Shook, who owns Lake Region IGA alongside the Paupack Falls near Hawley, on Thursday, Jan. 11. He added, "In my first 50 years at the lake, I think it was only open maybe five times prior to 2010, and now it has been open and additional five or six times."

Shook said, "It will probably be full for the next two weeks, which is probably one of the longest releases they ever had."

Mikki Uzupes, whose parents' former business near Hawley (Pines Tavern) was directly opposite the falls, said from her observation, "There are more releases I would say since 2000 at least. Prior to that I only remember one or two others. I can think of probably half a dozen instances since then."

At Ledges Hotel, guests, staff, and other visitors who stop by have a front-row seat to the powerful waterfalls at times like this, observable from their decks overlooking the ravine.

To further aid in bringing the lake level down, water is released into the 3 1/2-mile flume line connecting the lake with the hydroelectric station at Kimbles on the Lackawaxen River in Pike County.

While normally they may use both turbines, generating electricity, due to maintenance activities there is one power generating unit in operation at this time, Burnett stated.

The last release was in July 2023.

Paupack Falls returned to its former glory, Tuesday, July 18, when Brookfield Renewable opened the spillway gates at the Lake Wallenpaupack dam to reduce the lake level due to unusually heavy rain in recent days. The resulting cascade, a rare event, is enjoyed from the decks at Ledges Hotel in Hawley, as seen here. The hotel originated as a glass factory in 1890, powered by these falls, as were several other businesses. Lake Wallenpaupack was created in 1926 for hydroelectric power, and resulted in shutting down the Paupack Falls. This picture was taken July 20, 2023.

National Weather Service records indicate that, as measured at Avoca in Lackawanna County, in December 2023 there was a measured 5.53 inches of precipitation, nearly double the norm of 2.80 inches. The amount measured in December 2022 was 3.68 inches. December 2023 was rated as the third-highest December in terms of precipitation on record.

As of Jan. 12, at 3:49 p.m., the elevation of Lake Wallenpaupack was 1,184.3 feet. The Jan. 1 targeted lake level is 1,183, and by Feb. 1 the target is 1,182. The top of the dam is 1,200 feet; the top of the spill gates is 10 feet lower.

The majestic but still relatively rare releases are reminiscent of the day before Lake Wallenpaupack was created by Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L) Inc. in 1926. Before this, the cascade was a normal sight and generated power for many mills and factories, from Wilsonville at the future dam site, to the industries that lined the ravine at Hawley.

Brookfield has owned the Wallenpaupack plant since 2015.

Information regarding Lake Wallenpaupack elevations can be found on the Brookfield Renewable website: safewaters.com/facility/wallenpaupack.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lake Wallenpaupack water release ongoing after rainy December