Castanea Officials Want Assurances on Removal of Reservoir
CASTANEA – The City of Lock Haven is embarking on a $25 million improvement package for its Keller Reservoir near McElhattan and Ohl Reservoir at Rosecrans. But Castanea Township officials want to know more about city plans for the no-longer-used Upper Castanea reservoir on Harvey’s Run south of the Castanea village.
Castanea Township, through a letter last month from township solicitor Paul Ryan, responded to a letter from Lock Haven government seeking support for city plans to remove the Upper Castanea dam, part of government-mandated water impoundment improvements.
The Castanea reservoir was put into use in 1927 and Lock Haven maintained its dam as part of its water supply system until 1994 when a filter plant was constructed down-line for the Keller and Ohl reservoirs. The Castana facility was taken out of service at the time but continues to impound water.
Castanea several years ago told the city it did not want to take over ownership of the Castanea dam. Then, in response to recent correspondence, in a letter dated Dec. 10 of last year Ryan notified Lock Haven that the township had concerns about possible impact to the village if the dam is removed:
“After having reviewed the correspondence, the Supervisors are concerned what, if any, flow control measures will be developed in the event the dam is removed. The Township is particularly sensitive given that like many local municipalities, recent heavy rains have caused issues with the adequacy of stormwater management. Before the Supervisors can support this project, they must be assured that the general health, safety, and welfare of the Township residents will be protected.”
Solicitor Ryan’s letter requests that Lock Haven “provide the Township with whatever information it has that may address the Township’s concerns.”
A study for the city several years ago showed it would cost between $2.6 million and $4.5 million to update the shut-down dam to meet new government requirements for safety; the cost to remove the dam, through breaching, is estimated at $750,000. Breaching is the decision the city wants to pursue.
The Castanea dam is about a quarter-mile up Harvey’s Run from the village.
The Ryan letter is listed among “correspondence” as part of the agenda for Lock Haven City Council’s first meeting of 2020 on Monday, Jan. 6.
