Army Corps releases final Whitney Point Lake Master Plan; includes enhanced infrastructure and recreation framework

Published Oct. 10, 2019

WHITNEY POINT LAKE, N.Y. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the new Whitney Point Lake Master Plan that will serve as a guiding document for decision making at the lake for the next 15 to 25 years.

The revised Master Plan provides a framework for consistent, responsible decision-making at Whitney Point Lake (WPL) that includes land use classifications that govern the way land is managed and used to provide good stewardship and outdoor recreation to meet the needs of the public.

WPL’s Master Plan includes three key objectives to meet the public’s needs and foster environmental sustainability at WPL: improve infrastructure and utilities; enhance existing recreation sites and amenities; and expand recreational opportunities in key areas.

Some examples of specific enhancement projects discussed in the Master Plan include improvements to the Old Anderson Trail, a kayak intake area at Keibel Road Recreation area, and extending the Whitney Point Multi-use Trail.

It is important to note that the Master Plan does not appropriate money to enhancements discussed in the plan, but effectively portrays where projects could be authorized if funding or a strategic partnership were to become available for implementation.

The WPL community provided input into the enhancements and opportunities included within the Master Plan throughout the revision process. An open house and public comment period were hosted in April 2019 to gain feedback and suggestions from the public for the Master Plan.

The Master Plan does not change the technical operations of the lake as related to its primary missions of flood risk management. The revision is a part of a larger, Corps-wide effort to bring master plans up to date across the country.

The revised Master Plan contains an accompanying Environmental Assessment that assessed the potential impacts of the 2019 WPL Master Plan, resulting in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The process of revising WPL’s Master Plan and conducting an Environment Assessment was contracted to John Gallup & Associates (JG&A) with Army Corps Master Plan Revision team oversight. 

The final Master Plan, previous master plans and additional information can be found on the project website: http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/WPL-Master-Plan-Revision/

About Whitney Point Lake

WPL has prevented more than $733 million of flood damages since its operational completion in 1942. The project is a unit of the comprehensive flood control plan for the protection of communities in southern New York and eastern Pennsylvania as authorized by the Flood Control Act of June 22, 1936, as amended by the Flood Control Act of June 28, 1938.

Whitney Point Lake is located on the Otselic River in Broome County, New York. The dam forming the lake is three-quarters of a mile above the village of Whitney Point.

The Broome County Department of Parks operates and maintains the recreational facility Dorchester Park at WPL. Recreation is offered Memorial Day to Labor Day annually. The park has picnic facilities, restrooms, water taps and fountains, two 100-person picnic shelters, and a swimming beach with certified lifeguards and changing areas. The boat launch remains open until the lake freezes when Ice Fishing access is allowed.

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Contact
Rebecca Nappi
410-962-7464
rebecca.a.nappi@usace.army.mil

Release no. 19-025