LYMAN LAKE OPENS

ENJOYING THE LAKE: Above, left: Brothers Tony (back) and Paul Sabo and dog Belle try their luck fishing; center: (from left) Shaley, Zofia and Issac Burr cool off; right: DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announces the lake's official opening.

After eight years and a lot of hard work by area residents and concerned citizens throughout the mid-Atlantic, Lyman Lake officially opened Thursday morning.

The rain held off on the ceremony, which included remarks from several local and state representatives, including Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis.

DiBerardinis pointed out that those who fought to get the lake back should have a sense of pride in the hard work put into the project.

Safety concerns in 2000 forced workers to breach and drain the dam that had stood since the 1950s. The previous dam required close monitoring for leaks and seeps almost since it was built.

It took phone calls, letters and true cooperation from area residents and agencies to convince those in Harrisburg that the dam and lake were a vital part of the Lyman Run State Park and Potter County.

"From Potter County to Harrisburg is a long way," DiBerardinis said. "Not every community... can touch the governor and legislature."

What the dam adds now is a new element, pairing the park with the Cherry Springs State Park's dark skies and giving tourists another reason to visit the area, he said.

"It begins to fulfill the promise of the PA Wilds," DiBerardinis added.

"When the governor first campaigned, he took a Route 6 tour and fell in love with it," explained Howard Brush, Northwestern Pennsylvania Representative for Governor Ed Rendell.

The governor's love for the area has led to several Route 6 initiatives, including the PA Wilds, he pointed out.

The governor isn't the only one who is putting money in this part of the state.

David Brooks, Potter County Visitor's Association executive director, pointed out that over $30 million had been invested into the state parks in Potter County, including the $17 million dam project.

With the dam complete and just 5 feet away from being full, it is "part of the package once again," Brooks said.

"This is certainly a great day for the entire county and the entire region," he added, echoing the words of past and previous commissioners as well as representatives from the offices of State Rep Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Brockway).

Chip Harrison, manager of Lyman Run State Park, explained that two "fill and hold" cycles would bring the lake up to its final depth. The first cycle will bring the lake 3 feet - 6 inches per day for five days - followed by a 10-day monitoring period. The second cycle would bring the lake up 2 1.2 feet, allowing water to flow over the spillway.

Harrison added that some of the park employees had talked of camping out at the park so they could take pictures of the first drops of water over the spillway. A specific date had not been set for the lake to reach its final depth of about 36 feet.