2014 was a transformational year for the Silver Lake community. Faced with government regulatory demands that the SLCA was not financially capable of meeting, the community voted for new bylaws and annual maintenance fees to keep our lake sustainable. Together, we can improve and conserve historic Silver Lake for future generations.
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEES
2015 Annual maintenance fees are $500 per property. Invoices of $125 for Q-1 maintenance fees will be mailed December 31, 2014. If you receive an invoice you believe is in error, please provide the SLCA a copy of your deed.
You may:
- Pay the entire $500 in one payment (and save SLCA the administrative costs and postage for mailing subsequent invoices), or
- Pay quarterly installments of $125 each.
Payments are made to:
Silver Lake Community Association
PO Box 438
Lewisberry, PA 17339
Below we share the highlights of our annual engineering inspection, and our continued urgent need to raise funds for long term improvements to our earthen dam.
ANNUAL ENGINEERING INSPECTION
The ARM Group, the SLCA’s engineers, conducted their annual inspection of our dam and spillway the first week of November. The report:
1. Recognized the improved condition of the earthen dam, including a dramatic reduction of the water flow through the earthen dam. In our 2013 inspection seepage was observed at 5 – 10 gallons per minute. The engineer observed in 2014 that this has been reduced to less than 1 gallon per minute – the efforts of the SLCA board and volunteers in our recent draw down are to be commended.
2. Recognized the improved condition of the spillway, where SLCA volunteers spent countless hours this summer repairing cement, clearing brush and caulking cracks. To quote, “The overall condition of the spillway structure (Dam No. 67-023A) is good, with no major deficiencies noted. At least most of the repair and/or deferred maintenance items noted during the 2013 inspection were addressed in 2014, as documented herein.”
3. Recognized that while vegetation and drainage control behind the earthen dam had improved, more work is needed to improve drainage behind the dam and allow for a more thorough engineering inspection.
4. Cautions about the continued urgent need to make extensive (and costly) improvements to the earthen dam.
Specifically, “Whatever further information may become available regarding seepage through or beneath the dam (as a result of better vegetation and drainage measures), the current seepage through the embankment and the steepness of the downstream slope warrant remedial action. It is recommended that the Association begin planning to implement seepage control measures and to flatten the downstream slope of the dam. As discussed with the dam operator during the 2013 inspection, placement of a drainage blanket on the downstream face of the embankment in conjunction with constructing a buttress on the downstream side of the slope, would probably address these issues. In accordance with normal practice and care, such remedial measures should be designed and executed by qualified personnel.”
This requires that the SLCA acquire funds to pay for both a wetlands delineation and a design and build plan from a licensed engineer for the earthen dam improvements. These are a priority of the SLCA board once funds permit. The wetlands delineation is important as results will determine the appropriate (or rule out) access and design options. The engineering plan is a necessary first step to determine the actual costs to repair and upgrade the dam. We cannot do any further work on the earthen dam until we have the wetlands delineation and an official plan.
Board members have been approached by SLCA members regarding dredging the lake. Please note that our engineer specifically notes in the report to the board and the PA DEP that NO dredging should occur until, and possibly in conjunction with, long term dam repairs.
Thank you to all of the lake residents and their friends who turned out to clear feeder streams, perform vegetation control behind the earthen dam, help with spillway maintenance, and provided coffee and sandwiches to our volunteers. Roughly 25% of households volunteered time and muscle in 2014 – let’s see if we cannot get this to 50% in 2015? Every volunteer saves the SLCA money we would otherwise pay to contractors. Don’t know what you can do to help? SEE OUR VOLUNTEER PAGE FOR DETAILS.
Money also helps – please advertise to your friends and families who love our lake that they can purchase FoSL car magnets and help us accelerate much overdue repairs. And a very special thank you to Reeser’s Soft Serve Ice Cream, the Silver Lake Inn and Allen’s Eatery for their support, selling FoSL magnets from their establishments. When you next visit them, please thank them personally!
Thank you for your support for historic Silver Lake outside Lewisberry PA.