Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019 - 59

CURRENTS
Dam Rehabilitation Project at Lake Somerset
The construction project was originally estimated to start
in spring 2018 and take two years to complete, with the lake
reopened for public use by the fall of 2020. Under the revised
timeline, the lake is expected to reopen in fall 2021.
The project involves building a new spillway, raising the
elevation of the top of the dam, and making repairs and
improvements to the dam and the structures used to control
the water level. The overall cost of construction is estimated to
cost approximately $8 million.
At the completion of the project, PFBC fisheries biologists
will enact a restocking plan for the lake, which previously
contained a large population of Bowfins, Channel Catfish,
Common Carp, Gizzard Shad, Golden Shiners, Largemouth
Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleyes, crappies, perch,
sunfish and tiger muskellunge.
photo-PFBC archives

In advance of a long-awaited dam rehabilitation project at
Lake Somerset, Somerset County, the Pennsylvania Fish &
Boat Commission (PFBC) announced that drawdown efforts
have resumed.
Lake Somerset was initially lowered by approximately 6 feet
in January 2012 to reduce pressure on the earthen dam after
state dam-safety inspectors documented excessive seepage. An
additional drawdown occurred in October 2017 in preparation
for construction activity, which was later delayed. Following
a period of relaxed fishing regulations and a large-scale fish
salvage to remove or relocate most of the fish population,
the lake was officially closed to public fishing and boating
in April 2018. While public access to the lake pool and lake
bed are restricted due to safety concerns presented by muddy
conditions, the surrounding Somerset Lake Nature Park
remains open.
As the project moves forward, the public is asked to keep a
safe distance from all construction areas.
Governor Tom Wolf released capital budget funding in
October 2016 for the repairs at Lake Somerset. Projects to
rebuild dams typically take 3 to 5 years to complete and
fluctuate depending on the number of projects underway at the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and
Pennsylvania Department of General Services.

Restore Pennsylvania Could Address Infrastructure Needs Along Cocalico Creek

photo-Mike Parker

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources (PA DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams
Dunn and Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Executive
Director Tim Schaeffer toured a potential recreation site along
Cocalico Creek, Lancaster County, and discussed how Restore
Pennsylvania could help address such green infrastructure
needs in the state.
"Green infrastructure projects require major financial
support, the type financing Restore Pennsylvania could
provide," said Dunn. "These improvements are essential to
meeting visitor expectations at outdoors venues across the state,
and Restore Pennsylvania is critical in addressing infrastructure
needs of its communities, state forests and parks."

Pictured are (left to right) Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
www.fishandboat.com 		

"Connecting people with the outdoors through additional
public fishing and boating access is a priority, especially in
areas that are underserved or underutilized," said Schaeffer.
"Projects that combine new recreational opportunities with
infrastructure enhancements that lead to better water quality
and protect aquatic resources long-term are the most effective
and valuable."
Restore Pennsylvania is a statewide plan to aggressively
address the Commonwealth's vital infrastructure needs.
Funded through a commonsense severance tax, Restore
Pennsylvania is the only plan that will help make Pennsylvania
a leader in the 21st century.
Ephrata Township is considering a section of land
along Cocalico Creek for potential water- and trail-based
recreational development that could provide future boating,
fishing and hiking to area residents and township visitors.
Walking the site with Schaeffer and township officials,
Dunn noted Restore Pennsylvania could provide green
infrastructure funding for improvements such as flood
plain restoration, stream bank stabilization, forest buffer,
non-motorized boat access development and a fishing pier.
The PA DCNR secretary also noted plans call for a pathway
connection to the existing 8-mile-long Warwick-to-Ephrata
Rail Trail. PA DCNR has already invested three grants to
municipal partners for approximately $500,000 to help fund
certain sections of the trail, now open to the public and
connecting Ephrata and Lititz.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2019

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2019

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