UPDATE: Finally we have
a boat launch!!! PFC is really keep an eye on whats going on here so be
careful and make sure your tags are in place and your legal!
No pets in launch area allowed!
Hinckston Run Dam, the
Dam from Hell
Constructed
in 1905 as a water supply, the lake had been officially closed to public
angling and had never been studied by the Commission until 1999. The lake
is considered a moderately fertile water body, having good populations
of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch as well as fair numbers
of black crappie, bluegill, bullheads, and common carp. The lake is deep
(maximum depth of 64 ft) and based on its thermal/chemical profile has
habitat for a two-story fishery. Thus, management strategies will be directed
towards warm water and cold water species over the next few years. Foremost
in the management plan is the establishment of special
regulations for bass and select panfish species to maintain existing
populations and to enhance the density of larger size individuals as the
lake became open for public angling and boating early in 2000 when the
Cambria Somerset Authority (CSA) had taken ownership. The dam is regularly
stocked with walleye fingerlings by the PFBC as part of its 2004 Warm/Coolwater
Stocking Program. 
When The
Manufacturers Water Company of Johnstown (TMWC) first purchased this area,
the water was unfit for a thriving 
fisheries
population due to acid mine drainage (AMD) which affected many of our waterways.
With the implementation of the clean waterways programs, it has since become
a popular place to fish. The CSA remains committed to developing public
recreation while protecting water quality in all of their reservoirs. We
had hoped in the spring of 2003, to see the construction of boat ramps
for easier boating access. Carry-ins are the only boats able to access
the dam and the entire area around the dam lacks posted, marked or designated
"carry-in" access area's. The backwater
area remains the only area convenient for "carry-in" boats.
Whitewater
enthusiasts would also be interested in visiting Hinckston Run, which boasts
a 50+ foot waterfall during the high waters of spring. But only to look
at it. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to try this. Anyone caught
will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowable.
Cambria
and Somerset counties depend financially on tourism. Our waterways hold
a natural scenic beauty with backdrops of mountainous terrain. 
Hinckston is one of those areas. But it has to be said that the lack of
access to outdoor recreation opportunities that exist at Hinckston will
have an impact on Cambria County. A boat ramp for public fishing and boating
is needed or at least a posted designated area to be used for "carry-ins"
until a new ramp can be constructed. It seems at this time, CSA does not
have an interest in putting in signs, ramps, bridges or anything else intended
until all the other recreation is taken care of at the other waterways.
The only ones who can resolve these issues are the people who attend meetings
and who are willing to attend township meetings and form a Hinckston Recreation
Committee. If one is in place, join it. You only get to enjoy what
you work for.
New! A photo gallery for nature
shots for just for "Friends of BDF"... Wallpaper made from gorgeous photos
sent in by our readers. If you have photos you think would make great wallpaper,
send them in to be displayed: Please ZIP them up
and send them to: friendsgallery@bigdamfish.net.
Our mail will only accept attachments in zip format due to security issues
with spam and viruses.
