Swinging Bridge Reservoir Information

(June 2007) In May, 2005, a sinkhole was discovered deep inside the dam that forms Swinging Bridge Reservoir. For safety reasons, the authorities decided to draw down the water levels in the lake to inspect the dam and decide on a repair plan. In June, 2005, the reservoir was drawn down in multiple steps, a total of about 50 to 70 vertical feet, which essentially emptied the lake. The lake had been reduced to basically a stream along much of its 9 mile length, recreational use had been curtailed, and an engineering and repair process was undertaken.

The future status of Swinging Bridge has been uncertain for the past 2 years. Mirant, the energy company that owned the dams and reservoirs, was operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At one point they indicated they would not be completing the repairs and were looking to sell their hydroelectric holdings. FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), as well as various politicians, got involved and pushed Mirant to continue the repairs while they were looking for a buyer.

This spring (2007), Mirant and FERC announced that the repair was mostly complete, and the refill of the reservoir began. They have been bringing it back in 10 feet increments, with testing of the dam at each step. In early June, 2007, the lake level was about 1,040 to 1,050 feet above sea level (the traditional level of the lake is 1,070 ft. above sea level), so its still about 20 to 30 feet down. There is one additional repair (forgive me, but its something technical I don't quite understand) that needs to be completed and tested before the lake level is brought all the way back up.

While all this has been happening, Mirant successfully found a new owner for the dams and reservoirs. The new owner is Alliance Renewables, who completed the purchase of the Mirant hydro assets in late May. (See Times herard Record article.) A big question mark was whether Alliance would be committed to completing the dam repairs and reopening the reservoirs for recreational use. But Sam Nappi, the Chairman of Alliance Renewables, issued a statement, “Alliance Renewables recognizes the critical importance of recreation in the Mongaup, Rio and Swinging Bridge system and looks forward to working as an active environmental, recreational and economic partner for Sullivan County.”

Alliance has also accelerated the repair process, originally planned to be complete in September, 2007. Alliance is hoping to have all repairs completed by sometimes in July — which will enable the final refill of Swinging Bridge. At that time, a decision will be made as to whether the reservoirs will be opened this season for recreational use, including motorboating.

June 26 2007 Update: Alliance Renewables has targeted August 1, 2007 as the reopening date for recreational use on the reservoir. Read Times Herald Record article.

Jul;y 25, 2007. Swinging Bridge Reservoir has now reopened for recreational use, including motorboating.