Pennsylvania American Water drained a North Pocono reservoir to upgrade its dam, but the project’s impact on wildlife has one resident concerned.
The water company began lowering the water level at the 100-acre Maple Lake Reservoir in Spring Brook Twp. in January, said Alana Roberts, external affairs manager for Pennsylvania American Water.
The dam project consists of a new spillway, upgrading outlet works and improvements to the dam embankment. Roberts said the work will improve the dam’s long-term safety, reliability and capacity to handle high-water events.
However, resident Sharon Volpe, who has lived a mile away from the reservoir for more than 25 years, is concerned about the fish that have died when it was drained. She noticed them about a week ago. She said when the reservoir was drained, fish weren’t able to make it into the water that remained.
“The ones who weren’t lucky enough to get into the stream … they’re all dead now,” said Volpe, who regularly walks by the lake with either her daughter Gianna Volpe or neighbor Beth Jones. “They’re literally flopping and you could see them gasping.”
She said draining the reservoir affects fish and other animals, like frogs, that make their habitat there.
Maple Lake is home to nine fish species, according to a 2013 state Fish and Boat Commission population survey, and is a popular fishing spot. Volpe wishes the fish had been removed before the lake was drained.
“It just seems cruel to let them take their habitat away and let them suffer,” she said. “It’s sad that the fish were there suffering like that.”
Roberts said the project requires a temporary drawdown of the reservoir to safely complete construction activities, which was reviewed and approved by the Fish and Boat Commission.
She added that removing or relocating the fish was neither needed nor recommended for the project because large-scale fish relocation in an open reservoir environment is generally not practical, can be expensive and does not ensure successful results.
“The project was planned and approved with these factors in mind, and wildlife agencies participated in the review process,” Roberts said in an email.
Maple Lake Reservoir in Spring Brook Twp. Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A dead fish is seen in the mud on Maple Lake in Spring Brook Twp. Pennsylvania American Water drained the lake for dam repairs. (Submitted)
The drained Maple Lake in Spring Brook Twp. (Submitted)
The drained Maple Lake in Spring Brook Twp. Pennsylvania American Water has drained the lake for repairs on the dam. (Submitted)
Maple Lake Road crosses over a drained portion of Maple Lake Reservoir in Spring Brook Twp. Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Maple Lake and its dam in Spring Brook Township, near Routes 690, 307 and 380. (IMAGE SCREEN COPY / GOOGLE)
Show Caption
1 of 6
Maple Lake Reservoir in Spring Brook Twp. Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Volpe said the state Department of Environmental Protection informed her it issued a permit for the project but would send someone to check on the drainage work.
The project, which costs about $5.1 million, is one of several dam rehabilitation projects in Lackawanna County. Last year, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority provided two $7.3 million loans to Pennsylvania American Water for dam rehabilitation projects at the Maple Lake Dam and the Marshwood Dam in Olyphant, both of which are drinking-water reservoirs.
The interest terms for both loans are 1% for the first five years and 1.743% for the remainder of the 20-year loan period, according to Pennsylvania American Water.
Upgrades include installing a 30-inch-diameter pipe to bypass a weir structure, installing a seepage collection system in the embankment of the dams and flattening the embankment to increase stability in rapid drawdowns or “probable maximum flood” events, according to the state.
The projects will bring the dams into compliance with current safety practices by upgrading the outlet works and spillways, the water company said in a statement.
The funding awards were part of $222.2 million in Pennvest assistance statewide announced last summer by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration for 31 drinking-water, wastewater and stormwater projects in 21 counties. The projects also include replacing lead service lines, rehabilitating aging systems, upgrading service capabilities and reducing environmental contaminants through compliance with current regulatory levels.
Roberts said permitting and planning for the project is complete and construction will start in the coming weeks. She expects major construction to start by June 2027, with the entire project completed by the end of 2027. Fishing will not be allowed when work is underway.