Staff from ODNR and Coventry Twp. Fire Dept. successfully exercised the 50-foot long swing gate at the Iron Channel during the morning of April 12. The function of the gate is to cutoff water flow between East and West Reservoirs in Portage Lakes State Park to aid in water control management when necessary. ODNR says it will exercise the gate twice each year to ensure it operates properly.

The initial closure of the gate during the April 12 maintenance and operations exercise initially was impeded by the presence of an unknown object underwater that was wedged beneath the gate. The object was located by a member of the Coventry Fire Dept. and found to be a discarded boat anchor. Once removed, the Iron Channel gate was able to be fully closed. Following a final maintenance inspection, workers reopened the gate to allow passage of normal water flow. ODNR soon will be begin a dam improvements construction project at East Reservoir Dam to ensure the structure and its appurtenances meet dam safety requirements. The project is to be completed by the end of December, 2018.

To East Reservoir - Portage Lakes Dam Risk Reduction Project page

Portage Lakes State Parks web page