For Immediate Release:

27 September 2011

MIDDLEBURY, CT – US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District


Thomaston/Black Rock/Northfield Dams, Thomaston, CT 06787

POC Mr. Vincent A. Gualtieri 860.283.5540 FAX 860.283.0303




CORPS RECREATION AREAS IN THOMASTON CT REMAIN CLOSED

Due to rainfall from storms Irene and Lee and corresponding recent flood risk management operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advised that the recreation areas at Northfield Brook Lake in Thomaston, the Thomaston Dam
trail bike riding area, the Leadmine Brook Area in Thomaston CT will remain closed for safety reasons to all visitors, including foot traffic, for the remainder of the 2011 season to allow for cleanup operations.



At Thomaston Dam on Rt. 222, the Leadmine Brook Area and Thomaston Dam trail riding and reservoir areas remain closed. Flood waters were stored with the second highest pool on record of 83.80 feet on 29 August during storm Irene and another pool of 58.50 on 9 September with storm Lee as well as a recent 28 ft flood water storage operation on 24 September 2011.



However, the Vista Picnic Area at Thomaston Dam on Rt. 222 in Thomaston is open thru 10 Oct 2011.


Northfield Brook Lake on Rt. 254 experienced a record pool level of 78.50 feet on 28 August and another 57 foot pool on Sept 8th.


The Black Rock Lake Basin reservoir area on Rt. 109 in Thomaston remains closed to vehicular traffic due to a record flood pool of 94.70 ft. on 29 August and another 68 foot pool on Sept 9th. At this time foot traffic is allowed.


Inspections, cleanup and repairs are underway including hazard tree, debris /sediment removal, and road and utility repairs.


For all Corps of Engineers built projects in the Naugatuck and Housatonic River Basins the total damages prevented during storm Irene is $ 408,026,000 according to the Corps of Engineers New England District headquarters in Concord,MA.