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PA DCNR to Remove Portion of Dam Spillway on Lake at Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County

Posted on: Monday, 8 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today announced that work will begin Wednesday, Aug. 10 to remove a portion of the dam spillway on the lake at Ryerson Station State Park in Greene County. The action will prevent the reservoir from refilling after heavy rains and runoff, which would further stress the integrity of the damaged structure.

The 62-acre lake, located near the West Virginia border, was drawn down immediately on July 28 after joint inspections by DCNR and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) uncovered serious structural concerns. Assessments since that initial drawdown indicate the dam has weakened considerably and its condition continues to deteriorate.

Currently, there is no measurable water behind the dam. However, because of the structural stability issues, a precautionary evacuation of some downstream residences and one business may be required should the reservoir refill in the event of heavy rains.

The need for a precautionary evacuation will not be required upon completion of the partial spillway removal, which is expected to finish in approximately 30 days.

DEP and DCNR have been working with state and local emergency responders, who have gone door to door in downstream communities, to inform residents downstream and keep them informed.

"Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of residents who live downstream," DCNR State Parks Bureau Director Roger Fickes said. "With the lake drained, there is no threat but we have alerted people to be aware. Removing a portion of the dam will prevent the reservoir from refilling and will keep residents safe as we continue our assessment of the structure."

A 100-foot section of the 200-foot-wide dam spillway will be removed to prevent water from pooling behind the unsafe structure in the wake of heavy rains. The spillway is a structure over or through which flood waters flow from the reservoir and are discharged downstream to keep the lake at a relatively constant depth.

Built in 1960, the concrete dam, located across the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek, has been increasingly cracking and seeping.

No cause for the damage has been determined and investigations continue. Until the movement of the foundation is complete and continued structural damage ends, a final assessment of the damage to the dam and its foundation cannot be provided.

"The purpose of this effort is to remove any potential hazard," DEP Deputy Secretary of Water Management Cathleen Curran Myers said. "Dam collapses in New Jersey and elsewhere in the Northeast following heavy summer rains last year demonstrate why we need to remain vigilant and take every precaution necessary to protect downstream communities."

The 1,164-acre Ryerson Station State Park, opened in 1967, is in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border. The drawdown eliminated recreational opportunities on the lake. However, other activities at Ryerson Station State Park, such as picnicking, hiking, camping and swimming at the pool are proceeding as usual.

CONTACT: Terry Brady, DCNR (717) 772-9101 Kurt Knaus, DEP (717) 787-1323

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;

CONTACT: Terry Brady, DCNR, +1-717-772-9101, or Kurt Knaus, DEP,+1-717-787-1323

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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