CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The water rapids area of Greenhouse Park in Somerset County is closed until at least next Tuesday as engineers decide how to make a section of the man-made whitewater feature safer.
The artificial whitewater rapids in the Stonycreek River were a part of the non-natural whitewater park in Pennsylvania that was designed for boaters and tubers coming down the river. Phase two of the project alone cost $400,000 to construct.
Thursday's closure came after a few recent "dangerous incidents" in the river, although none were serious enough to mention specifically, said Benscreek Canoe Club President Craig Rosage. The decision was also made because of how low the water level had gotten.
Last fall, engineers made modifications to the river to lower the water level, which created the second set of rapids for boaters and tubers. But, Rosage said, the unusually high amount of rain this spring and summer kept the water level higher than normal. This masked the fact that — with usual weather conditions — the water level was actually now too low and needed to be raised because it was creating what's called a "hydraulic" in the water.
A dangerous hydraulic can form when a river is obstructed, creating strong downward flow that can pull people under the surface.
Conemaugh Township Supervisor Ken Tressler said in an interview Thursday that it's not clear how long the whitewater park will be closed, but that nobody is allowed in the part of the water until further notice.
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