Army Corps works to restore Raystown Lake of heavy rain impacts from Hurricane Ida remnants

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Published Sept. 2, 2021
Updated: Sept. 2, 2021

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is managing the impacts of flooding at Raystown Lake after heavy rains from Hurricane Ida passed through the region from Tuesday, Aug. 31 to Wednesday, Sept. 2. USACE officials are taking precautionary measures to protect the public by implementing temporary closures to some of Raystown Lake’s campgrounds and facilities that rest near the water.  

Raystown Lake closures and cancellations are as follows:

  • All public boat launches 
  • USACE-managed campgrounds, including:
    • All of Nancy’s Camp Boat-to-Shore
    • All of Putt’s Campground
    • All of Senoia camp loop in Seven Points Campground
    • Several waterfront sites in Points camp loop at Seven Points Campground
    • Several waterfront sites in Susquehannock Campground
  • Both Seven Points Beach and Tatman Run Beach
  • Picnic shelter reservations at Oak, Allegheny, Tatman Run and Aitch
  • Roadways associated with and adjacent to Raystown Lake may be closed due to anticipated rising water levels.

Reopening dates of the above facilities are to be determined. Facilities will remain closed until high water levels recede. 

All trails in Seven Points, including the Allegrippis Trails, Old Loggers Trail and the Greenside Pathway, are currently available for recreational use. However, sections may become blocked due to high water. Additionally, Seven Points camp loops including Ridge, Meadow, Valley, Bay and most sites in Point and Susquehannock are open. The Raystown Lake Visitors Center will remain open throughout Labor Day weekend.

Interpretive programs scheduled for the weekend will continue as planned. The annual John Denver Tribute Concert is still scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Seven Points Amphitheater. Please monitor the Raystown Lake Facebook event page to stay informed on updated event schedules starting Friday, Sept. 3, throughout the Labor Day weekend.

Projected lake levels are currently expected to rise 10 to 13 ft. above normal year-round recreation pool levels. Temporary closures will not be lifted until USACE Dam operators can safely and efficiently release water downstream from Raystown Dam. Please monitor the Raystown Lake webpage and Raystown Lake’s Facebook page for reopening announcements as lake elevation levels drop.

This weekend, an interpretive park ranger will be onsite at the downstream Raystown Spillway overlook to inform the public of USACE’s flood risk management missions and why the temporary closures are imperative to flood risk safety.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Raystown Lake Ranger Office at 814-658-6809.


Contact
Allen Gwinn, Supervisory Park Ranger
814-658-6810
allen.gwinn@usace.army.mil

Release no. 21-047