Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. Tuesday (5/13) will begin installing "flashboards" on the Holtwood hydroelectric dam, affecting the water level on Lake Aldred. Unlike previous years, the work will be spread over four days, not two.

The reason is the company wants to ensure that the recently opened fish lifts aren't closed for extended periods during the installation of the flashboards. The work is expected to be completed Friday (5/16). On each day, one-fourth of the flashboards will be installed between 6 and 11 a.m. The fish lifts will resume operations after the work is completed each day.

"We want to ensure that the hydroelectric station and the fish lifts continue to operate in harmony, while we perform this critical work," said Mark W. Arbogast, land management superintendent-Holtwood.

This year, PP&L began operating the fish lifts so that migrating American shad can continue their upriver journey.

The water level on Lake Aldred will be lowered, while the flashboards are being installed. This will affect boating in both York and Lancaster counties. Boating is not recommended when the lake is lowered. The water level is expected to begin rising after 11 a.m. each day.

Flashboards are large wooden boards fixed to steel pins atop the concrete dam. They raise the elevation of the water held back by the dam and make the Holtwood hydroelectric station more productive and efficient.

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

Lake Aldred is an 8-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.