WATER LEVELS Weather adds to rising problem at area lakes

Anticipated rain this week could slow the process of lowering area lakes.
CLARK, Pa. -- The water at Shenango River Lake was 6 feet above summer pool level when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed most of its facilities two weeks ago.
The condition has worsened since then, spokesman Pete O'Connell said this morning.
The pool is now 10 feet above summer level, he said.
"We're slowly dropping," O'Connell said, but the weather outlook isn't helping.
Storms were expected to pass through Mercer County today, and rain has been predicted through Friday.
Only the Shenango Recreation Area boat launch and the Pa. Route 846 fishermen's access remain open.
The Shenango campground, Clark Recreation Area, Hartford Access Area, Parker's Landing Access Area, Big Bend Access Area, Golden Run Wildlife Area and the Pa. Route 18 Access Area remain closed.
The Mahaney launch ramp is closed, but the picnic and playground areas there remain open.
RC's Marina has been forced to close its docks and launch ramp, and most of the boats have been removed from their docks.
Upstream on the Shenango River, Pymatuning Lake was still about 15 inches above summer pool levels this morning.
"We're discharging as much as we can," said Dennis Mehoci, assistant park manager.
However, rainy weather forces the state to close the Pymatuning Dam gates to prevent downstream flooding, he said, noting the gates had to be closed Sunday.
All public facilities remain open, he said.
However, the Pymatuning Outboard Motor Club, a private club on the lake, has been closed for more than a week because rising water covered portions of its docks.