Dam Repairs Shorten 2012 Boating Season at Shikellamy State Park

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bureau of State Parks Director John Norbeck today reminded anglers and boaters that necessary repair and replacement of air bags forming the inflatable dam on the Susquehanna River will require a shortened boating season this summer at Shikellamy State Park, Sunbury, Northumberland County.

Scheduled to start in mid- to late August, the repair work on the Adam T. Bower Memorial Inflatable Dam is timed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to take advantage of favorable weather and river flow conditions as it embarks on major construction at the 2,100 foot-long dam forming Lake Augusta.

Replacement of one of the dam's seven inflatable bags, and construction of a temporary causeway necessitate ending the boating season Aug. 19. Normally, lake boating continues into the first week of October, when the dam forming the 3,000-acre body of water between Northumberland and Snyder counties is lowered.

"Because we're aware of the economic vitality anglers and boaters bring to that area of the river, we extended their 2012 season as long as possible before deflating the dam and lowering the lake," said Norbeck. "Faced with a very narrow 'weather window' in which to work, delaying any longer than late August could put the project at risk."

Historic low flow in the Susquehanna at Sunbury occurs during the late summer months, Norbeck said, and river conditions and weather should combine for safe and expedient repairs. Dam deflation, construction of a temporary causeway, and repair and replacement of damaged air bags should take about six weeks.

For details on Lake Augusta boating and mooring in 2012, telephone Shikellamy State Park at 570-998-5557. For information on Pennsylvania's 120 state parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and select "Find a Park."

Media contact: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

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