Carbon County has seen a decrease in $215,142 in revenue generated at Mauch Chunk Lake Park through the end of August due to the pandemic.

On Thursday, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich released budget performance information for the park through Aug. 31.

Earlier this year, the commissioners, knowing they would take a financial hit, chose to restrict access to the swimming area of Mauch Chunk Lake to just Carbon County residents, as well as those who rented a campsite and season pass holders as a way to provide a recreational area for county residents to enjoy during the pandemic.

Lukasevich said that the overall decrease in revenue for the beach was $146,263, while the camping was down $68,879.

He also noted that the county could not charge an entrance fee for swimming since Aug. 10 due to lifeguard reductions that required swim at your own risk days.

But projections are showing the overall revenue for the year will increase just over $102,000 by the end of the year.

Lukasevich said this is due to $82,206 in hotel tax money that will be brought in, as well as an additional $20,000 in cabin rentals and campsites, which are projected based on 2019 figures.

Mauch Chunk Lake Park typically takes approximately $676,000 to operate annually.