Wanderings Inside the Francis E. Walter Dam
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04Flooding.jpg The Francis E. Walter Dam is on Route 940 about 3 miles East of the intersection of the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike - PA 476 and US 80. A large sign on Route 940 points to the access road. The access road was built during the construction of the dam and was not intended as a public road. This low point in the road is subject to flooding and limits the storage level for water supply and recreational purposes.
The drainage area above the dam receives water from an area of 288 sq. miles. Heavy rains upstream of the reservoir can suddenly increase the water level. Flood control storage is 35.8 billion gallons. The reservoir has a long term storage (without flooding the access road) of 650 million gallons. This level of storage covers 90 acres.

During periods of heavy rain, the dam operator monitors downstream level gauges at Lehighton, Walnutport, and Bethlehem and adjust the gates to maintain the river below flood stage.