July 20, 2007
Boating, Swimming Will Resume at the Swinging Bridge Reservoir
Mongaup Valley - It's taken more than two years, but starting tomorrow, swimming and boating will once again be allowed in the Swinging Bridge Reservoir.
Alliance Energy, which bought the reservoir, dam and its hydroelectric plant in May from Mirant, made the announcement.
The 9-mile-long reservoir is the largest lake in Sullivan County - aside from the New York City-owned reservoirs - and it's one of two lakes in the county where motorboats are permitted.
In May 2005, the reservoir was drained when workers discovered a large sinkhole in the top of the massive earthen dam and inspections found structural problems. Mirant spent the next two years pleading financial hardship to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC ordered Mirant to complete the job anyway.
Alliance has sent notices to lakefront property owners announcing the reopening. While the reservoir is filling, boaters are warned to keep speeds slow and to watch for stumps and other underwater debris - particularly in the northern end. Alliance will allow the reservoir to rise another 15 feet at a rate of no more than one foot per day.