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HARRISBURG, Pa. (Aug. 21) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is alerting anglers and boaters who use Harris Pond in Ross Township, Luzerne County, that it is has lowered the water level by two feet to relieve pressure on the dam following the discovery of a sinkhole on the dam breast.
“During a routine inspection of the facility, we discovered a sinkhole on the downstream face of the dam breast, between the concrete and earthen dam components,” said Michele Jacoby, director of the PFBC Bureau of Engineering. “While this is not a large impoundment, it is a high-hazard dam, which means there is the potential for loss of life or property if there was an uncontrolled breach. Therefore, after consulting with Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Dam Safety, we initiated the drawdown.”
The pond will be maintained at the lower water level while the PFBC evaluates the structure and determines if repairs can be made. The pond may need to be drawn down further to either relieve more pressure on the dam or to make repairs.
Harris Pond is a 30-acre impoundment on Roaring Brook Creek and sits on the PFBC Sweet Valley campus. The dam was constructed in 1922, acquired by PFBC in 1966, and underwent a rehabilitation project in 1985, which involved construction of a new concrete core wall.
The pond has a maximum depth of about 10 feet and an average depth between 4-6 feet. It is managed under Big Bass regulations, which allow anglers to keep up to four bass a day of at least 15 inches from Jan. 1 through April 14, and from June 17 through Dec. 31. Anglers must practice catch and release between April 15 and June 16.
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717.705.7806 or elevis@pa.gov