MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — People are starting their Labor Day weekend a little early at Tobyhanna State Park. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and kayaking.
The campsites are also starting to fill up. Carmen Colon of Blakeslee is getting her site ready for the weekend.
"I camp here and do some grilling, cookout, look at the lake," said Colon.
Joanne Kopycinski of Staten Island says she's been coming to Tobyhanna State Park since the late 1960's. She spent part of her day fishing at the lake.
"I learned how to fish here, and it's been beautiful; I've camped here as a kid and swam up here, so it's a beautiful, quiet, peaceful lake," said Kopycinski.
The lake is the big draw for visitors to Tobyhanna State Park. This holiday weekend will be the last before the drawdown.
"We got to spend the week going out on the water explore different parts of the lake, being out in the sun, fishing, because we did hear it was going to be drawn down, so we may not be able to camp here next year, so that's why we came this year," said Alfred Concha of Philadelphia.
Tobyhanna Lake will be drained before work can begin on the dam replacement project that the state announced earlier this year.
The drawdown was originally supposed to happen in mid-September, but the timeline got delayed.
Construction on the dam is expected to start in the spring.
"I'm sad about it because I love the place. It's so peaceful here," said Colon.
People who come to visit often say they understand the work that needs to be done so they'll enjoy one last holiday on Tobyhanna Lake.
"If it takes a year for them to fix, however long, I will miss it, but I will go to Gouldsboro," said Kopycinski.
Park officials say campsites here are sold out for Labor Day weekend.