The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates William H. Harsha Lake for flood reduction.  Between April 1 and May 1, the lake is raised four feet from winter pool elevation of 729 feet mean sea level (msl) to summer pool elevation of 733 feet msl.  The lake level is lowered to winter pool elevation from September 1 to December 1.  For lake elevation and outflow readings, click here.  More information about the current lake elevation can be found on the USGS website.

The quality of the water in William H. Harsha Lake is very important to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Throughout the warmer months, lake personnel gather a temperature and dissolved oxygen profile. Further testing is conducted by other agencies. For more information about water quality in Corps Lakes, go to the Louisville District Water Quality website.  It has information on a variety of related topics, including harmful algal blooms, typically referred to as HAB's.  HAB's have become a concern recently, and lake personnel gather water samples for further testing whenever an algal bloom is detected. For more information about water quality testing of East Fork State Park's two swimming beaches, click here.

This algal bloom was detected in June 2012.