Huntington District

   Efforts continue to repair the destruction caused by tornados that damaged park facilities at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility at East Lynn Lake in East Lynn, W.Va., and the opening of the campground at the lake will be delayed past the scheduled start on May 11, 2012.

  The storm struck East Lynn Lake on March 2, 2012. Damage was confined to East Fork Campground, and includes toppled trees at campsites, damage to electrical and phone lines, and damage to other facilities. 

   The staff continues to work with utility companies to repair the damage, restore electrical service and clear away debris. The campground was scheduled to open May 11, 2012, but that opening will be delayed while work is completed.

   All reservations from May 11 thru 19 have been canceled. Individuals will be refunded for those reservations.

   The campground is now scheduled to open May 20, and all reservations made for that date and beyond are still valid.

   Area 3 of the campground sustained the most damage and that camp loop will be the last area to open.

   Reservations for camping are still being accepted through the National Recreation Reservation Service, but the campground will not open until work is completed and it can be safely used by the public. All day use areas, shelters and the marina are unaffected by damages from the tornado. 

   For more information, write to Resource Manager, East Lynn Lake, 683 Overlook Trail Road, East Lynn, W.Va.  25512, call the project at 304-849-2355, or stop by the Park Office at the office adjacent to the East Lynn Dam.

     East Lynn Lake and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host the annual lake cleanup April 28, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

      Volunteers are invited to assist Corps employees in cleanup efforts at the lake. Activities include debris and trash pickup in the East Fork Campground and along the lakeshore. Strong winds in March left behind a large amount of debris. Those wishing to volunteer should meet at the East Fork Day Use Area at 8 a.m. 

      Those who wish to pick up trash along the lake may use their personal boat and deposit collected trash at any boat ramp.  Volunteers for cleanup along the lake should meet at the Lakeside Day Use Area at 8 a.m. Garbage bags will be provided at the site. Volunteers who do not have access to a boat may pick up trash by walking along the shoreline at the dam, lakeside and East Fork areas. 

      Groups who plan on participating are encouraged to sign up prior to the event by calling 304-849-2355.   

      Volunteers should bring gloves and work shoes or boots. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers at the East Fork Campground from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

      For more information, write to G. Michael Smith, Resource Manager, East Lynn Lake, 683 Overlook Trail Road, East Lynn, WV 25512, call 304-849-2355, or stop by the lake office located at the dam.

    Here’s a link to a story over the weekend in The Independent in Ashland, Ky., about upcoming work planned for the Greenup Locks. You can read the story at this link:

   Work to replace a set of miter gates at the aging Greenup Locks and Dam will begin in June, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials announced last week.

    The approximately $12 million project to replace the upriver set of hydraulic doors is expected to take 12 weeks and will close down the 1,200-foot-long main lock chamber for the duration of the project.

    The gate replacement is being funded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance budget.