The dam at Tuscarora State Park in Barnesville is almost empty in some parts due to an ongoing water release.

Water levels are being taken down about 25 feet so crews can construct and install a new toe drain at the base of the dam.

The dam was originally slated for a 9-foot drawdown beginning in September for general maintenance and inspection. It was determined that the additional draw down would allow better conditions for the construction.

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

The Tuscarora site is one of five flood control dams in the Little Schuylkill Watershed that is being inspected and rehabilitated to meet modern standards.

The others are the Hosensock Dam in Ryan Township; Koenig’s Creek Dam in West Brunswick Township; and the Little Schuylkill River Dry Dam and Neiferts Creek Dam in Rush Township. All of the dams are more than 50 years old. The goals are to have them meet or exceed current state and federal dam safety criteria, and to have them continue to provide flood protection for the next 50 to 100 years.

Once contractors finish the toe drain replacement at Tuscarora - likely sometime this month - the dam will be allowed to return to full pool.

Another drawdown will follow in the next few months to allow for the installation of a new sluice gate. The next drawdown will be between 8 and 10 feet and take approximately two weeks.