TRANSFER, Pa. - Memorial Day weekend typically marks the unofficial start of summer at Shenango River Lake, but this year, high water and storm damage have reshaped the experience for early visitors.

Park officials say heavy rain throughout April and May caused lake levels to rise significantly, forcing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close several popular recreation areas, including boat launches and parts of the campground.

“We had a lot of rain the past couple days that have caused our lake levels to increase,” said Park Ranger Hannah VanOrd. “So right now, we're actively working on releasing that water downstream.”

While crews continue efforts to lower the water and clean up impacted areas, VanOrd says reopening depends largely on the weather. “Hopefully we will be open... but that depends on Mother Nature and if she throws a little bit more water at us,” she said.

Despite the high water, some visitors still made their way to the lake. Asia Ward, visiting from Ellwood City, said her family enjoyed a boat ride but noticed the difference.

“The water is really high, and you can tell that the water level was even higher,” Ward said. “You can see a lot of the debris and the leaves about three or four feet up higher than what it is now. The beaches are all gone, so we weren’t able to hang out on the beaches.”

The recent flooding has also led to another concern — mosquitoes. With increased standing water, the park has seen more mosquito activity than usual. “That’s mosquitoes’ breeding ground,” VanOrd explained. “So yeah, we did have a little bit more mosquitoes, but we're taking care of that this coming week” through treatment efforts.

Despite the setbacks, park staff remain optimistic that Shenango River Lake will be ready for the summer season. Cleanup operations are ongoing, and visitors are encouraged to check for the latest updates before heading out.