PENFIELD – On Wednesday Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn was joined by state and local officials for a tour of the Shaggers Inn Waterfowl Dam in Moshannon State Forest and discussed how the Restore Pennsylvania proposal could help address green infrastructure needs in the state.
Restore Pennsylvania is a statewide plan to aggressively address the commonwealth’s vital infrastructure needs. Funded through a commonsense severance tax, Restore Pennsylvania is the only plan that will help make Pennsylvania a leader in the 21st century.
“Just as this impoundment is important to waterfowl and other wildlife in Moshannon State Forest, and valued by the anglers, boaters and others who come to visit, Restore Pennsylvania is critical in meeting infrastructure needs of our state forests and state parks throughout the state,” said Dunn.
“This high-hazard dam needs major work, estimated to cost $6 million.”
DCNR oversees 130 dams in its state parks and in its more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland. Of these, 46 are classified as high-hazard.
That is, they are capable of exacting significant tolls on resident safety and property should they fail. Currently, the spillway at Shaggers Inn’s 29-acre lake is capable of handling only 35 percent of the required flow in flood conditions.
“The Shaggers Inn Waterfowl Dam needs a lot of work and monies will have to be allocated toward this project,” said Goshen Township Sportsmen’s Association President Dan Hemphill.
“I hope that everyone understands that there are many people that want the dam to be repaired/fixed.”
Built in 1989 on Little Medix Run, the 765-foot earthen dam is owned and maintained by DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry.
As deep as 25 feet in areas, the lake was stocked with trout for the first time this spring by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Anglers also are drawn to the lake by warm-water species.
To learn more, view the full Restore Pennsylvania plan.