CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — The beach at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County is closed for the season because of low water levels.
"No swimming" signs and a fence now line the beach at Beltzville — a shock to many who showed up to swim.
"We were ready to swim, ready to play with sand," said Shraddha Dalsania. "We were so excited to come here. It's a long weekend, so kids have off. We had planned to come here and play here, but it's closed, so we don't know. We are disappointed."
"This is our old home. We've been coming here for so many years, and we decided just to check it out. Surprise, surprise, it's closed," said Bob Emmons.
Ben Monk is the state park manager. He says the lake levels are lower than normal because of drought control for the Delaware River basin. As a safety precaution, swimming is off-limits.
"The lake here is very deep, and it gets deep quick. The swimming area was placed where it was because they were able to make it a gradual slope. Not far beyond the swimming rope sits drops off to about 30 feet, then out to about 90 feet," Monk explained.
While the beach is closed because of the low water level, DCNR officials say that shouldn't impact you if you plan to get out on the water this weekend.
"We don't foresee losing more water that we would need to close Preachers Camp boat launch, and there's virtually no chance that we'll have to close the Pine Run launch, so boating remains open, and fishing remains open. Picnic areas will be open."
DCNR officials warn that no swimming is allowed anywhere in the park.
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