SOMERSET, Pa. (February 13) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced today that a partial drawdown of Somerset Lake, Somerset County, will begin the week of February 24, 2025.
During this time, the water level within the lake will be gradually reduced by approximately 18 inches in preparation for a repair project on the concrete spillway scheduled to begin in spring 2025. While the change in water level will not likely be noticeable to visitors to the lake, there may be a minor increase in water flow within the East Branch Coxes Creek downstream of the spillway. The upcoming drawdown is in addition to a previous drawdown in September 2024 when the water level was also lowered by approximately 18 inches.
Because the surface of the lake remains frozen, as a safety precaution, visitors are asked to stay off the ice during the drawdown period.
Project History:
The concrete spillway structure at Somerset Lake, which was completed in summer 2022 as part of a multi-year dam rehabilitation project, developed some cracks shortly after refill, resulting in leakage from the structure. This issue has been monitored closely, and engineers have determined that there is no structural damage to the spillway. Repairs to the spillway are scheduled to begin when warmer temperatures arrive in spring 2025, and the lake will be refilled upon completion of repairs.