Army Corps warns boaters, swimmers

PITTSBURGH

Due to the lack of snow melt from last winter and a dry spring, area lake water levels are below average and likely to keep dropping, announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here.

And many lake recreation areas and boat launches will close earlier than usual this year, the corps said.

Boaters and swimmers should beware of underwater hazards, which are closer to the lake surfaces than usual.

Locally, the most drastic water shortage is at Berlin Reservoir, where the surface elevation is 5 feet 7 inches below its maximum summer-pool level and likely to drop another 5 inches by Friday, the corps said.