WAYNE COUNTY -- The state plans to drain two ponds in Wayne County because officials say the dams at both ponds are too weak.
The plan comes as a surprise to folks who live there. They say they had no idea about what's expected to happen to White Oak and Miller Ponds.
Soon, fishing boats won't have enough water to float on at White Oak Pond near Waymart, and no fish to catch.
The same goes for Miller Pond a short drive away in Mount Pleasant Township.
State officials say the dams at both ponds are too weak and could be a danger if flooding caused them to fail.
Both state-owned ponds will be drained.
"For me, I'm going to lose my lakefront," said Jim Parker. "I paid a lot of money for this and paid taxes for this. To have it taken away it would be very, very disturbing for me."
Parker and his wife bought their home in 1999 with a great view of White Oak Pond's pristine waters and glowing fall foliage.
"I found the house of my dreams when I retired up here. You couldn't get me out of here with dynamite."
Parker was shocked to find out that after state inspections found the dam is too weak and there's no money to replace it or make repairs, that the DEP and the Fish and Boat commission have decided to drain White Oak.
"I really don't like people doing things like this behind their back, not a good way to deal with people."
Dean Giles and his neighbors are finding themselves in the same boat. Miller Pond's dam is also not up to state specs. It was built in the mid-1800s to make a reservoir for the D&H Canal.
"You think they'd let somebody know who has acreage on the pond, and yeah, it's going to change things, sure," said Giles.
Giles suspects his property value will drop when the pond is drained and he fears that with it will go the wildlife and beauty that's stood for more than 150 years.
"It's a nice fishing area, beautiful pond. Now it'll be nothing but stumps and big empty wasteland."
State officials say there's no telling how much water will be left behind when the ponds are drained. That will depend on the amount of rain we get.
Rick Levis with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission gave Newswatch 16 the following statement:
"I will confirm that the two ponds will be drained within the next few weeks because of safety concerns with the earthen dams. A fish salvage will occur to move fish to another water. We plan to hold a public meeting soon in the area to provide more details about the current conditions and to discuss how the facilities can be rebuilt to current DEP dam safety standards."
