May 6, 2022
Dear Members of Boulder Lake Club:
The following is an update on Big Boulder dam repairs.
Repairs to the lakeside of the Big Boulder Dam are complete:
Last Friday, April 28th, repairs to the lakeside of the Big Boulder dam which required the lake to be lowered were completed. The concrete required a few days to cure, and on Sunday May 1st the engineers permitted the valves to be closed. Repairs to the downstream wingwalls and spillway should be completed in the next few weeks.
Why the lake levels were lowered:
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) requires annual inspections of the dams at Big Boulder Lake. The dams were built in the 1950’s and have been meticulously monitored and maintained over the years by BRRE and JFBB Ski Area, but periodically work on the spillway structure is required for safety reasons. Last year’s inspection report noted that repairs of the dam’s spillway are necessary. To enable this repair, we applied for and received a permit from the Fish and Game Commission to lower the lake level by approximately 7 feet. The Carbon County Conservation District, a party to our permit, were on site Thursday May 5th to inspect. We are happy to report the fish in the lake appear to be doing well. The pictures included here will give you a sense of what was repaired.
Now that the valves are closed the lake is expected to reach a normal level over the following weeks. We will schedule putting pontoon boats in due course.
Until the lake levels are restored to normal, the lake is not accessible for launching kayaks, canoes, paddle boards etc. We will notify you when the all-clear is given.
PLEASE DO NOT GO NEAR THE DAM OR THE LAKE DURING THIS TIME. The dam itself is an active construction site and the exposed lake bottom is soft and quicksand like.
We appreciate your patience and understanding and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Boulder Lake Club Management Team
Office: 570-722-0133
Cell: 570.242.7336
