Meadow Grounds Lake Status Update

A pano shot from the middle of the lake bed at the northern access road shows the lush green grass that now covers the area.  The old road bed remains mostly grass free.

 

The handicap pier that once provided access to the water's edge now looks out over a rapidly greening depression; the tiny remnant of lake is far away.

 

After fully draining the lake the PFBC (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) has replaced six feet of stop logs.  This was done to discourage vandalism in the dam and to attempt to minimize sediment reaching Roaring Run.

A lone goose stands guard along the water's edge; the only waterfowl spotted during this visit.

 

The effort to secure funding for the repair and refilling of the lake is gaining momentum.  A new group dedicated to achieving this goal "Friends of the Meadow Grounds Lake" has formed.  The group now has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/166174400206673/ where members are encouraged to post their memories, discuss the issue, and to share ideas.  The "Friends" also have a website http://www.meadowgroundsfriends.org/index.php?page=contact where contact information and news is shared with all.

 

Recently the "Friends" filed articles of incorporation as a non-profit organization and has set up both banking accounts and a new mailing address.  The Friends are currently seeking donations to cover the $900 of filing fees.  The new mailing address is: Friends of Meadow Grounds Lake, P.O. Box 84 McConnellsburg, PA 17233.

 

On the legislative front Pennsylvania Senate Bill 680, The Capital Budget Project Itemization Act of 2013-2014 (printer's no. 1329) appears to be stalled in the house (per information received from Senator Alloway's office July 8th 2013).   SB 680 as it is currently written, contains $128,741,000 to fund PFBC capital projects (page 3 line 27).  Page 515 line 30, pg 516 lines1-5 further defines $2,188,000 of this funding be used to design, permit, and construct a rehabilitated Meadow Grounds Dam.

 

While SB 680's $2.188 million falls far short of the PFBC's estimated cost of 4 million, getting this bill passed would be a major first step.  Not only would it be an important step on the road to recovery for the Meadow Grounds Lake but it also contains funding for the other deficient high-hazard PFBC dams across the state.