Some Wednesday Wetness

The Times Trib, DEP to study water samples from Roaring Brook, Lackawanna River muddied by dam project; reservoir refills after valves closed

The state Department of Environmental Protection will test samples of silt-polluted waters of Roaring Brook and the Lackawanna River caused by Pennsylvania American Water’s rehabilitation of the No. 7 Reservoir dam in Dunmore, an agency spokeswoman said Friday.

Meanwhile, the reservoir has refilled in recent days after the closing of two old valves in the dam where silty sediment passed through. The water is flowing over the spillway again, a water company spokeswoman said Friday. Earlier this month, the dam project released large quantities of silt and sediment into Roaring Brook and the Lackawanna River, muddying the waters for miles. The DEP became aware of the silt and sediment pollution Feb. 4 and has been investigating the situation.


On Wednesday night, The Times-Tribune asked DEP if it was testing the silt-impacted waters of Roaring Brook and the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers. On Friday, a DEP spokeswoman said in an email that a “cause-and-effect study” began with water samples taken from Roaring Brook and the Lackawanna River starting Wednesday and with sampling to continue through the rest of this week.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Country Girls up on time at The Other McCain.