October 19, 2017 - In preparation for winter, City Utilities will make annual adjustments to river levels beginning this weekend.
At noon on Saturday, October 21, City Utilities will temporarily lower the St. Joseph River upstream of the St. Joseph Dam, in order to remove the flashboards on Monday, October 23. Lowering the river allows the dam’s spillway to dry up so that crews can safely remove the flashboards.
River levels should return to normal by October 26.
Residents with docks or with boats moored along the St. Joseph River should be aware of changing river levels and take appropriate precautions to protect their property.
Flashboards are installed in the spring to raise the level of the river north of the dam. This is done to increase the amount of water held behind the dam, to ensure that Fort Wayne has an adequate water supply during peak summer months.
Additionally, on Tuesday, October 24 the annual raising of the tainter gate at the Hosey Dam will occur to lower the river levels through the downtown area to their winter pool.