It also is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Yet, there are problems with the Lehigh, such as acid mine drainage from abandoned coal workings, malfunctioning septic systems, polluted run-off, etc. Increasing minimum release levels will benefit the environment by providing more water, thus diluting harmful discharges and improving conditions for the aquatic life. Increased levels also will promote recreation, such as fishing and boating. The Corps' position is that it will only consider increasing the minimum releases during summer months if a non-federal sponsor will pay for storing the water sufficient to provide for the releases and who also will assume responsibility for the storage.
All dams hold back water and release water, in varying amounts and for different purposes.
Since water is always flowing into a dam, releases become necessary to prevent overtopping and flooding. The Corps holds back, or stores water whenever increased precipitation causes too much water to flow into the dam. This prevents downstream flooding. Once the storm event passes, then the Corps releases the water slowly. In fact, it is this purpose, or mission, for which the Walter Dam was constructed in 1961.