Visitors to Tuscarora State Park will notice that the Rush Township park’s lake isn’t as high as usual.

Earlier this month, efforts began to draw down the lake by 8 feet.

The drawdown is necessary so contractors can install a new sluice gate, stem and operator at the dam.

The work is part of an ongoing effort among the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The flood control dam is more than 50 years old. DCNR noted that the work will meet modern standards and will ensure that the dam can continue to serve the public for decades to come.

Work began in September 2023 when the lake was slated for a 9-foot drawdown for general maintenance and inspection at the dam.

It was determined then that a drawdown by 25 feet was needed to construct and install a new toe drain at the base of the dam.

That water release left the dam completely dry in some parts. The lake refilled but the current drawdown had been planned for the installation of the sluice gate.

At the moment, the boat ramp is inaccessible for boats on trailers but visitors can launch kayaks, canoes and any other hand-carried watercraft along the shoreline in any accessible area, unless posted otherwise. The beach closed for the season last week.

Once the work is complete, the lake will be allowed to return to normal pool levels naturally.