HARRISBURG, Pa. (Jan. 11) – The Canonsburg Lake Restoration and Improvement Committee and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a long-awaited project has begun to improve the aquatic ecosystem of Washington County’s Canonsburg Lake, which has been adversely impacted in recent years by sediment buildup.
Allison Park Contractors, Inc., has been awarded a $1,065,000 contract for Phase 1, which begins today. This phase involves constructing an access road from McDowell Lane to the lake and building a small weir, or dam-like structure across the lake. A forebay – or settling pond – will be excavated upstream of the weir to capture sediment and debris, preventing them from entering the lake. The weir acts as a breakwall, slowing the flow of water and allowing more sediment to settle into the pond instead of entering the lake.
Sediment and vegetation buildup affects aquatic wildlife by reducing oxygen levels. Silt accumulation also impacts boating by reducing the pool depth. The depths at the upper end of the lake have lowered to the point that, in some circumstances, boating is difficult or impossible.
The public should be aware that the contractor may use several spots in the main parking lot for employee parking and a storage trailer. However, the parking lot and ramp will remain open to the public during construction.
Work on Phase 1 is expected to last until September 2016. Construction will be temporarily halted from March 1 until June 15, which coincides with the traditional trout season.
To date, the lake group has raised $1.7 million, which is being used to fund the project. The project is being managed by the Washington County Redevelopment Authority.
Additional project phases will begin as more funds are raised. Plans call for enlarging the forebay to capture more sediment and dredging upstream of McDowell Lane. The cost for dredging will depend on how much sediment is removed.
Canonsburg Lake is a 76-acre Commonwealth-owned impoundment located south of Pittsburgh in Peter’s and North Strabane townships, Washington County, and is very popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts in southwestern Pennsylvania.
More information is available at the Save Canonsburg Lake website:http://www.savecanonsburglake.org/what2.htm.Media Contacts
Eric Levis, Press Secretary
717-705-7806
elevis@pa.gov