The water level of Lake Aldred on the Susquehanna River will be lowered Monday, July 29 for maintenance work on Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.'s Holtwood hydroelectric dam.

The reduction in the water level will begin Monday at about 6 a.m. and will last until about 2 p.m. The purpose of lowering the water level is for PP&L to repair "flashboards" on the dam that were damaged during recent high water flows on the river.

"Boaters on both sides of the lake -- in York and Lancaster counties -- should be aware of the change in water level," said Mark W. Arbogast, PP&L Land Management superintendent. "To make the necessary repairs, the lake level will be lowered about five feet. Boating is not recommended when the lake water level is lowered."

The lake should return to normal recreation levels by Tuesday (7/30).

Flashboards are large wooden boards fixed atop the concrete dam to raise the amount of water the dam can hold back. The flashboards make the Holtwood hydroelectric power plant more efficient.

"The damage to the flashboards was caused by high river flows as a result of the heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Bertha," Arbogast said. "We are scheduling the work now because river flows have returned to normal levels for this time of year. In the event of heavy rains and a return of high river flows, the work may have to be delayed."

Additional information can be obtained by calling the Susquehanna River Hotline for Lake Aldred at (800) 692-6328.

Lake Aldred is an eight-mile body of water formed by the Holtwood dam on the lower Susquehanna River. PP&L owns and operates recreational facilities on both sides of the lake in conjunction with the Holtwood hydroelectric and coal-fired power plant.