HARRISBURG, Pa. (September 16) – In advance of upcoming dam infrastructure improvement projects, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that drawdowns are now underway at the following lakes in the northeast region:
Ford’s Lake, Lackawanna County:
Also known as Ford’s Pond, this 73-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating will undergo a full drawdown. The $3.1 million dollar rehabilitation project will include the reinforcement of the existing dam embankment and spillway with new concrete to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Following the issuing of final permits, construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027. Once construction begins, the project is expected to last approximately 1.5 years, with refill anticipated in fall 2028.
Rose Valley Lake, Lycoming County:
This 389-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating will undergo a full drawdown. The $5.9 million dollar rehabilitation project will include the construction of a new spillway and improvements to the existing dam embankment to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Following the issuing of final permits, construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027. Once construction begins, the project is expected to last approximately 1.5 years, with refill in spring 2029.
Over the next few weeks, depending on local rainfall, visitors to both Rose Valley Lake and Ford’s Lake will notice water levels being slowly lowered. Eventually, only a small pool of water will remain within the reservoirs to control sediment flow into downstream waterways. Fish health testing was completed earlier this summer, and fish salvages will be conducted at both impoundments this fall to move as many fish as possible to other waterways.
While both lakes will remain open to fishing and boating as long as possible during the drawdown periods, anglers and boaters should use caution and avoid muddy areas along the shoreline, lakebed, and boat launches. Currently, all fishing seasons, sizes, and creel limits remain lifted to help reduce the number of fish in the lake.