Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: High Point Lake to be lowered for work

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that High Point Lake, Somerset County, will be partially drawn down so that maintenance can be performed. Over the next three to four weeks, depending on local rainfall amounts, visitors to the lake will notice water levels being slowly lowered by approximately 5 feet.

During a recent routine inspection, seepage was detected at the auxiliary spillway and dam embankment and the partial drawdown is necessary so that an inspection of the auxiliary spillway may occur while in a dry condition.

During this operation, High Point Lake will remain open for fishing and boating. A complete drawdown of this 338-acre impoundment is anticipated to begin in spring 2026. The $5.5 million project will include rehabilitation of the dam embankment and spillway.

All fishing seasons, sizes, and creel limits have been lifted to help reduce the number of fish in the lake prior to this project.

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First Iron Grouse Shoot at Bradford Club

Bradford, Pa. — Approximately 80 experienced shooters and grouse enthusiasts showed up July 12 to make the first-ever Iron Grouse Shoot in Pennsylvania a huge success.

Shooters got to shoot their choices of 25-clay trap, 25-clay skeet, 25-clay 5-stand, and 50-clay sporting clays at the facilities at the Bradford Gun Club on SR 770 south of Bradford, McKean County. The final score is a compilation of all four shoots. All shooters have a chance to win overall top prize.

Attendees came from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and New Jersey.

Winners of the first-ever Iron Grouse Shoot are as follows: Class B Winner – John Gernat, Class C Winner – Blake Nashadka, Class A Winner – Mark Buck, Junior Class Winner – Connor Loomis and Low Shooter – Lori Gideon.

DEP Mosquito Control in Lycoming County

Williamsport, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Mosquito-Borne Disease Program conducted a truck mounted ultra-low volume mosquito control effort July 15 in Lycoming County in City of Williamsport, Montoursville Borough, South Williamsport Borough, Loyalsock Township, Old Lycoming Township and Armstrong Township.

High populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus and biting nuisance mosquitoes were detected in these areas. Residential and recreational areas in these municipalities were sprayed for adult mosquitoes.

The mosquito-control effort was conducted using two ultra-low volume spray trucks. The spray product used was AquaDuet, which is designed to provide effective control of adult mosquitoes and is not harmful to humans or animals.

E.coli Levels High in Susquehanna River

York, Pa. — The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, which independently tests the watershed weekly for bacteria, recorded high levels of E.coli at 20 locations across four counties in its July 17 sample.

The organization recommended avoiding water at many locations in York, Cumberland and Lancaster counties.

A common weather mixture for central Pennsylvania lately — extreme heat and heavy rain — can significantly contribute to elevated E.coli levels. Eight Pennsylvania State Parks closed for swimming recently, primarily due to bacteria counts and water testing results.

E.coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals. Individuals who swim in waters with elevated E.coli levels risk getting sick with illnesses such as meningitis, septicemia, urinary tract infections and intestinal infection, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

2 Face Charges After Ohio River Drowning

Weirton, W.Va. — Two residents here are facing charges related to the drowning death of a 13-year-old girl from Washington County, Pennsylvania, in June.

Weirton police said Ashley Shelton, 29, and Joshua Lockerbie, 34, are facing charges connected to the drowning death of Reese Hanshaw from Burgettstown.

According to police, Shelton and Lockerbie drove six children to swim in the Ohio River at a time when water levels were high due to rainfall. Authorities said there were no flotation devices present and that the pair knew none of the children were strong swimmers.

Shelton and Lockerbie are charged with child neglect causing death and gross neglect of a child, police said