PPL Corporation is releasing water through its Lake Wallenpaupack hydroelectric dam to help offset drought conditions in the Delaware River Basin, the company announced today.

The Delaware River Basin Commission directed PPL to begin lowering the lake level on Aug. 29. Lake operations have been under the supervision of the commission since a conservation order was enacted in December of last year. The order gives the DRBC the right to regulate water flow from the lake.

Dennis Murphy, PPL’s vice president of Eastern Fossil and Hydro Operations, said PPL supports the commission’s efforts to stabilize river flows during the drought.

"As owner of Lake Wallenpaupack, we are doing everything we can to make sure the waterways where we do business continue to flow at healthy levels," said Murphy. "We are in constant contact with the DRBC to achieve this goal."

If there is no new moisture in the region, the lake may drop to levels that are 3 feet lower than normal by Oct. 1 and could be 9 feet lower than normal by December. Murphy noted that even if the drought continues, the lake should still be back to normal for next summer’s recreation season.

"We understand that this lake is a valuable environmental and recreational resource for Pennsylvania. We expect the lake to be at normal levels by June of next year," he said.

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, the lake was built to generate electricity. PPL agreed voluntarily to include the lake in the Delaware River Basin Commission’s drought management plan.

The Lake Wallenpaupack facility can generate 44 megawatts of electricity. In addition to its hydro generation role, the 5,700-acre man-made lake is a popular location for year-round outdoor recreation.