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State grants $4M for Dutch Fork
Dutch Fork Lake will be restored nearly five years after flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan turned the popular Donegal Township fishing hole into a desolate field.
The state announced Thursday it will funnel $4 million to reconstruct the dam's spillway and build a protective covering for the embankment.
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This state grant will put the lake restoration on a fast track, said state Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, although the project still needs another $500,000 for clearing brush and trees that have taken over the lake bed. He was not sure when work will begin to rebuild the spillway.
"It makes it much more feasible that it will happen shortly," Daley said.
The remnants of Ivan flooded the region in September 2004 and caused serious damage to the lake's emergency spillway. Dutch Fork was drained a few months later because of safety concerns, upsetting many locals who fished or boated at the lake.
"Every day, we get calls about Dutch Fork," Daley said. "It was such a recreational center, and it became a part of people's lives."
The state also issued a $1.8 million grant to install anchors and upgrade the dam impoundment at Canonsburg Lake. State Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, said the money also might be used to build a control valve for emergency releases at the lake in Peters and North Strabane townships.
Solobay said the project could help free up $4.7 million in federal money for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge and perform other work to "revitalize the lake."
The money for the work on Dutch Fork and Canonsburg lakes is coming from the state Department of Community and Economic Development's H2O grant program. The H2O grant provides money for construction, expansion or rehabilitation of water supply, sewage or storm water systems.
dutch fork : 5/15/2009
about time
Dutch Forks Lake : 5/15/2009
This is great news that Dutch Forks lake will be revitilized. I just hope it does not take another 5 years to get it back in useable condition.
Dutch Fork : 5/15/2009
Good news. I hope this is done with some planning to create spawning flats, add fish attraction devices, rock piles etc. I would like to see a good multi-species lake created instead of a barren trout pond.
Dutch Fork : 5/15/2009
Sounds like Ivan was an excuse for "funnel money into a dems pocket!"
500.000 ? : 5/18/2009
did they get a bid?? how and why does it cost so much to cut down some trees and brush,,,,,,,all i forgot 100.000 for administration fees,,,cut it up and burn it right there,,this is overkill,, and how those we elect are a sham
Dutch Fork / Canonsburg Lake : 5/18/2009
Great! The sooner the better. We need places to relax & unwind with the family.
