RAYSTOWN LAKE, Pa. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Raystown Lake began maintenance repairs September 2012 to its two tainter gates that help regulate the lake’s water level.
Work included repairing a gear box on one of the gates, installing new seals around its edges, and addressing corrosion on the gates’ surface.
Future work will include replacing seals on the second gate as well as making repairs to address delamination in the skin plate of one of the gates. Delamination occurs when some of the layers of steel surface of the gate begin to separate. While this condition will not impact the near-term operations of the dam, addressing the issue provides for the long-term operations of the nearly 40-year old project.
All repairs are being done to ensure the project continues to operate as designed, placing the safety of the public as its highest priority. As a precaution during the flood season, the lake levels will remain at 6 feet below normal pool elevation. The lake will be returned to its normal elevation in time for the recreation season.
Raystown Dam was built in 1974, and during that time it has prevented more than $270 million in flood damage. Historically, it serves as one of Pennsylvania’s most visited federal parks, with more than 7 million visitor hours in 2012.
For more information on Raystown Lake, click http://raystown.nab.usace.army.mil/
Release no. 13-039