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Highlandtown fishermen, be aware of these changes. Here's what I recieved from ODNR today.
LAKE ACCESS LIMITED FOR DAM IMPROVEMENTS
AKRON, OH - Over the next two months, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is performing a gradual drawdown of Highlandtown Lake in Columbiana County in order to make improvements to the dam and emergency spillway.
Originally built in 1966, the Highlandtown Dam controls the water levels in the 170 acre reservoir that extends to the west. Over the past year, the ODNR Division of Wildlife in collaboration with the ODNR Division of Water, determined that the emergency spillway needs to be refurbished, the overall face of the dam should be resurfaced and cleared of vegetation, and any other deficiencies which might have an influence on the integrity of the dam shall be restored.
Over two million gallons of water will be released each day, resulting in a drop of ten to twelve inches per week. Currently, the lake level is above summer pool due to recent storms. The lake level needs to be lowered to four feet below summer pool so that construction crews can access areas below the water line during the entire duration of the improvement process . Completion of the improvements is scheduled for December 2004. Matthew Backhaus, Fish Unit Leader at the Highlandtown Wildlife Area, points out that during this drawdown and construction period, anglers may experience some changes to the lake as a whole. "The far western boat launch will likely be inaccessible during the drawdown and use of the main launch located on the north shoreline will likely be limited during the later stages of the drawdown. Also, fishing access along the dam will be closed to due to the improvements being performed and the application of herbicide to eliminate excessive growth of weeds , " Backhaus explained. "Anyone using the lake should be aware that conditions will change from hour to hour on the lake, and obstacles that are normally submerged may become exposed during the later stages of drawdown." The handicap pier access will not be disturbed by the renovations. The ODNR Division of Wildlife would like to thank all visitors for their patience and understanding during this time.
-30-
For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com
For Further Information: (330) 679-2201
Matthew Backhaus, Fish Unit Leader
Highlandtown Wildlife Area
LAKE ACCESS LIMITED FOR DAM IMPROVEMENTS
AKRON, OH - Over the next two months, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is performing a gradual drawdown of Highlandtown Lake in Columbiana County in order to make improvements to the dam and emergency spillway.
Originally built in 1966, the Highlandtown Dam controls the water levels in the 170 acre reservoir that extends to the west. Over the past year, the ODNR Division of Wildlife in collaboration with the ODNR Division of Water, determined that the emergency spillway needs to be refurbished, the overall face of the dam should be resurfaced and cleared of vegetation, and any other deficiencies which might have an influence on the integrity of the dam shall be restored.
Over two million gallons of water will be released each day, resulting in a drop of ten to twelve inches per week. Currently, the lake level is above summer pool due to recent storms. The lake level needs to be lowered to four feet below summer pool so that construction crews can access areas below the water line during the entire duration of the improvement process . Completion of the improvements is scheduled for December 2004. Matthew Backhaus, Fish Unit Leader at the Highlandtown Wildlife Area, points out that during this drawdown and construction period, anglers may experience some changes to the lake as a whole. "The far western boat launch will likely be inaccessible during the drawdown and use of the main launch located on the north shoreline will likely be limited during the later stages of the drawdown. Also, fishing access along the dam will be closed to due to the improvements being performed and the application of herbicide to eliminate excessive growth of weeds , " Backhaus explained. "Anyone using the lake should be aware that conditions will change from hour to hour on the lake, and obstacles that are normally submerged may become exposed during the later stages of drawdown." The handicap pier access will not be disturbed by the renovations. The ODNR Division of Wildlife would like to thank all visitors for their patience and understanding during this time.
-30-
For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com
For Further Information: (330) 679-2201
Matthew Backhaus, Fish Unit Leader
Highlandtown Wildlife Area