WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to extend the whitewater rafting season by two weeks at the Breaks Interstate Park region in Pike County, Kentucky.
Water releases scheduled each fall from John W. Flannagan Dam & Reservoir help create ideal water conditions for rafters and kayakers who travel from around the world to tackle the rapids of the Russell Fork River. The Army Corps, however, limited these water releases to only four weekends in October. At Senator McConnell’s urging, the Army Corps will now expand the whitewater rafting season by two weeks this fall as part of an initial pilot experiment to determine whether it will allow for more water releases in the future.
At Senator McConnell’s request, the Army Corps agreed to study expanding the whitewater rafting season earlier this year. The Army Corps will continue to analyze the impact of adding water releases to expand the whitewater rafting season in Eastern Kentucky, which would enhance tourism opportunities and benefit the Pike County economy.
“The trial expansion of the whitewater rafting season is great news for Eastern Kentucky. I appreciate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreeing to study additional water releases at this popular destination,” said Senator McConnell. “By expanding the rafting season, we can provide more opportunities for world-class whitewater rafting to increase tourism and expand economic opportunities in the region.”
“The terrific news of testing additional scheduled release dates for Flannagan Dam’s fall draw-down are exactly the fruits that we have been looking forward to hearing about in the Army Corps process of studying how to optimize the usage of its water resources. Simply scheduling the release of water during that period is a brilliant use of finite resources that otherwise would be wasted. The tourism and paddle sport communities are appreciative of the continued support that Senator McConnell and his staff are giving the process that could affect the Appalachian economies of East Kentucky and Southwest Virginia in an impactful way,” said Jason Foley, Founder & CEO, Kentucky Whitewater Raft Kayak Rescue.
Earlier this year, Senator McConnell contacted R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), in support of the study, in an effort to increase recreational whitewater rafting opportunities and boost tourism in Eastern Kentucky. In addition, this week, Senator McConnell secured language in a government funding bill encouraging the Army Corps to continue to study expanding recreational white water rafting opportunities at the Breaks Interstate Park in Eastern Kentucky. The measure passed the Senate this week, and is now being considered by the House of Representatives.
