Our communications with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and PA DEP.

This Musser Engineering report focuses on issues that emerged from our August 26, 2024 meeting with the State, hosted by the Somerset County Commissioners.

The State presented three recent examples of other problem dams in Pennsylvania, with the implication that the High Point Lake Dam may have similar problems.

This report demonstrates that the High Point Lake Dam and watershed is not similar to those other problem dams managed by the Fish and Boat Commission.

Also, Musser Engineering explains in this report that the new (cracked) labyrinthine design dam structure constructed at Lake Somerset would present undesirable risks if it were to be utilized at the heavily wooded High Point Lake watershed. 

 Thanks to Musser Engineering for this report! 

Musser Report - October 2024

High Point Residents Share Dam Project Concerns with County Commissioners

July 16, 2024 - Somerset County Commissioner Meeting

Somerset County Conservancy’s reply to PA Fish & Boat

Reply to the PA Fish & Boat Commission

See below images for letter we received from PA Fish and Boat Commission

Musser Report - June 2024

  • “The dam is in satisfactory condition and well-maintained. The concrete spillway has normal wear and cracking, but no major cracks or settling of the structure was observed.” pg. 5

  • “Based on our inspection of the dam, and review of the limited publicly available records, there is no apparent need to carry out a complete dewatering of High Point Lake (potentially on a multi–year basis), which would largely destroy the existing fishery and other uses of the lake.“ pg. 6

  • “The users and residents of High Point Lake deserve a thorough and transparent explanation of the proposed [State] repairs, the timeframe anticipated, and the adverse impacts on the ecosystem of the area.” pg. 6

Letter to PA stakeholders

Links to fishing groups

Here are links to several Facebook fishing groups, which are unrelated to ours. There are thousands of fishermen that utilize High Point Lake!