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Whipple Dam back open to the public

From Mirror reports

HUNTINGDON — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks reopened Whipple Dam State Park this past Friday.

The park had been closed since September 2019 for a large-scale rehabilitation project the included the following improvements:

Removal/dredging of approximately 40,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment from the lake bed; re-paving of all paved surfaces in the park; addition of various fish habitat structures and turtle platforms; and addition of a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier and new ramp at the beach. Also, various structural improvements were made to the dam, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.

Helping to complete this project were:

n The PA Fish & Boat Commission for its help with a fish salvage operation; revision of lake habitat plan; and construction of various habitat structures to improve the fishery;

n John Nastase Construction of Snow Shoe, who did the contracting work.

n Eagle Scout candidate Nicholas Cole of State College for construction of eight new turtle basking platforms for the lake;

n Friends and neighbors from the Bureau of Forestry’s Rothrock State Forest District for their valuable assistance.

Trout-stocking will resume under its normal schedule prior to the opening day of trout season and the lake will be under normal trout regulations for opening day 2021.

State parks will be working with the Fish & Boat Commission to re-stock the lake with various warm-water species and these species will be under “catch and release” regulations until the populations have been re-established.

Potential winter visitors are advised Laurel Run Road is not maintained. Travelers should follow signs and stay on the blacktop to enter via the exit road.

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