CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Recreational users of the 690-acre Piney Dam in Clarion County are still facing two more summers of lower water levels and the possibility of not being able to launch their boats.
The Millcreek boat launch is closed until gate replacement work can be completed. The possibility exists that the Toby Creek launch could open after dredging work is done this year.
In 2015, Brookfield Renewable Energy Group lowered water levels five feet to do repair work on the gates at the spillway. But, when the work began, it was discovered that the gates, nearly 100 years old, needed replaced.
According to Andy Davis, Director of Media Relations for Brookfield, the water level will continue to be down five feet from its normal pool level until sometime later in 2017.
“If we have another mild winter this year, the work could be done earlier, but we are anticipating sometime in the fall of 2017,” Davis said. “Docks can go into the water, although we understand the difficulties some may have in doing this.”
“There are no dock permit fees this year, and we are working with Clarion Borough on the Toby Creek boat launch to get that open. It was dredged last year and dredging will begin soon.”
The gates that existed prior to their replacement were part of the original construction in the 1920’s.
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