Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Happenings

2010-06-11T19:36:00.001-04:00

The large pavilion was renovated in 2010. The kitchen was upgraded, a HC ramp was put in place. The railing was built to code. An updated sewage transfer pump was also installed.

2009-10-25T19:51:00.000-04:00

Artifacts, quilts, butterflies and a boat tour all added to the fun of a Tour of the Homes along the Lakefront. Sponsored by the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Assocation.

2009-10-23T19:44:00.000-04:00

Fall approaches and the PCC Crew puts the final touches on the new restrooms.

2009-08-24T19:31:00.000-04:00

The Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association and Ducks Unlimited received
a $15,000 DCED Grant from Rep. Tim Seip. The grant built the special needs access and a memorial gazebo at the Fish and boat access area.

2009-08-12T16:16:00.000-04:00

IU -13 Lancaster -Lebanon created Youth Endeavor Grove out of a brush pile at the Park.

2009-07-11T16:11:00.000-04:00

July Wildflowers

2009-07-07T16:07:00.000-04:00

Utilizing a specially constructed boat, the PA Fish and Boat Commission installed 40 tons of Rock Rubble Piles as fish habitat in Sweet Arrow.

2009-06-23T16:03:00.000-04:00

The Workforce crew built a water control structure near the "Owl's Nest" and completed many other worthwhile projects.

2009-06-21T16:00:00.000-04:00

Relaxation Point (a Schuylkill Leadership Class of 2009 Project) and the Special needs fishing access by The Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association.

2009-06-16T15:43:00.000-04:00

Progress on the new restrooms is steady. The PCC crew is learning and working.

2009-06-06T15:39:00.000-04:00

The annual Kid's Panfish tournament was a great success.

2009-05-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

Blue Mountain HS Students and the Master Gardeners planted the new Butterfly Gardens at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park.

2009-05-18T15:30:00.000-04:00

Walker Gluntz landscaped the Clubhouse as part of his Eagle Scout project.

2009-05-08T19:36:00.000-04:00

"Conveyor Belt" diversions were installed on the service road as a demonstration of a technique to prevent erosion of access roads. The application is best used on farm lanes, driveways, logging and mining roads.

2009-05-02T20:53:00.000-04:00

The Schuylkill Leadership Class of 2009 constructed an amphitheater and planted trees for their class project. This project greatly enhanced the "point" area near the Clubhouse.

2009-04-11T20:49:00.000-04:00

The first annual "Lunker" stocking created quite a lot of excitement. 68 trout lunkers larger than 20 inches were stocked.

2009-03-30T20:46:00.000-04:00

The art of psanky eggs was demonstrated to an interested crowd.

2009-03-22T20:40:00.000-04:00

Both Celtic music and Redtailed Hawks filled the air at the Clubhouse. This was a benefit for Red Creek rehabilitation.

2009-03-07T20:38:00.000-05:00

The annual Maple syrup pancake breakfast. Jon Flynn and Brad Kurtz demonstrate the art of Maple Syruping.

2009-02-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

Happy ice Fisherman

2009-02-02T17:17:00.000-05:00

Grover the Groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter on February 2nd, 2009 at the Sweet Arrow lake Clubhouse.
A crowd of about 100 witnessed. Shadows are obvious in the top photo.

2009-02-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

Ice Fishing on Sweet Arrow Lake on Feb. 2nd.

2009-01-31T15:46:00.000-05:00

Ice Fishing at Sweet Arrow seems real popular this year. The ice is good and the fish are biting.

2008-11-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

View of the Falls and the first snow of the year.

2008-10-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

Boy Scout C J Freguson built a wildlfe blind in the wetlands as his Eagle Scout project.

Below, the boardwalk gets a point of interest.

2008-09-14T09:21:00.000-04:00

A couple finds a beautiful spot to get married at the Park.

Boardwalk construction is continued with much anticipation.

Water rescue is taught to the Norm Thornberg camp.

2008-06-20T09:15:00.000-04:00

A program on bats is presented at the Clubhouse.

John Keesey builds and donates a Pergola to the Park.

2008-05-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

The Falls in Spring, the flock of nuisance geese grows.

The Schuylkill Stampede 4-H Club plants new trees the Clubhouse.

The winner of the annual fishing derby is announced.

2008-04-20T08:58:00.000-04:00

As the weather warmed, the playground was discovered.
A fly fishing seminar was held, and the new grass started to green up on the beautiful newly renovated park.

2008-04-01T08:37:00.000-04:00

The Swatara Cooperative Trout Nursery and the PA Fish and Boat Commission combined stocked nearly 5,000 trout in Sweet Arrow Lake.

2008-03-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

Fishermen gathered on both sides of the Lake for the first day of trout season. It was a very cold day the the best place to get a bite was the Clubhouse where the Sweet Arrow lake Conservation Association served breakfast.

The evening before, Peggy Hentz of Red Creek Wildlife Center presented a program on owl rehabilitaion to a standing room only crowd. A release of rehabilitated owls followed.

2008-03-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

On March 5th, 2008 a high water event tested the stream improvement work done below the falls. It appears that the work solved the problems.

2008-02-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

On February 2nd, 2008, a large crowd gathered to celebrate Groundhog day at the Clubhouse. The featured prognosticator was Grover from the Pine Grove Grundsow Lodge. The event was sponsored by the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association. Music and fellowship followed the ceremony and pot pie lunch.

2007-12-07T08:08:00.000-05:00

The paving was completed and a new playground installed just in time for the first significant snowfall of 2007.

2007-12-05T08:03:00.000-05:00

In October and November of 2007, the falls were "turned off" to allow re-construction of the streambanks below the falls. The flood of 1973 (hurricane Agnes) began the erosion process and it has continued ever since washing hundreds of tons of soil downstream. The rock lined channel, "root wad" deflectors and other steam improvements assure that the stream will remain within the channel and provide fish habitat as well.

2007-11-12T14:08:00.000-05:00

Over 100 post were used to create underwater fish habitat. This occured during a scheduled drawdown of the lake.

2007-11-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

The PCC Crew continued it's work on the boardwalk. A jackhammer was the solution to suborn rock that needed to be removed to widen the trail.

2007-11-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

Several rain gardens were added to absorb storm water runoff and return it to the water table.

2007-10-17T14:02:00.000-04:00

A new and improved Clubhouse Road begins to take shape.
Note the use of infiltration trenches.

2007-10-11T09:57:00.000-04:00

The Schuylkill Technology/Schuylkill Builders Association Gazebo was dedicated and the Schuylkill Leadership pavilion was also dedicated on 10/11/07

2007-10-08T14:53:00.000-04:00

Conduit for new parking lot lighting was installed, the storage shed was hauled to it's new location, disturbed land was seeded and mulched.
Road drainage made use of the practice called infiltration trenches to absorb water rather than run it off the road into a culvert.

2007-09-15T14:41:00.000-04:00

The PCC Crew began work on the boardwalk to the falls. The parking lots began to take shape. The front porch is stronger, safer and looks better too.

2007-09-10T14:31:00.000-04:00

In August 2007, work began on the major renovations to the Park. Clubhouse Road and the front porch were rebuilt.

2007-06-15T20:59:00.000-04:00

In June, 2007 the Schuylkill Technology Center under carpentry instructor, Tim McGinley, furnished the Park with a beautiful Gazebo.
Special thanks also to the Schuylkill Builders Association for providing materials.

2007-06-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

In June, the all important "Facility" was added to the Fish and Boat Access Area. The newly renovated parking area is the result of County and PA Fish and Boat Commission funding.

2007-04-25T21:35:00.000-04:00

Sweet Arrow Lake was stocked with 1,000 trout from the Swatara coopertive trout nursery and with over 4,000 trout from the PA Fish and boat Commission.

2007-04-15T21:46:00.000-04:00

The Schuylkill Leadership Class of 2007 paid for and helped erect a 24' x 32' picnic pavilion in the Falls Parking area. About 25 members of the class attended and asseembled 3 picnic tables and cleaned up the trail as well.

2007-04-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

The Schuylkill County Commisioners stock the first trout ever placed in Sweet Arrow Lake by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. In order Commissioners Mantura Gallagher, Robert Carl and Frank Staudenmeier. Gary Slutter, WCO "pipes" in the remainder of the 2,000 rainbows.

2007-03-31T14:03:00.000-04:00

The First day of trout brought many fishermen and non-fishermen alike to the Clubhouse for breakfast sponsored by the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association.

2007-03-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

An early start to the trout season (March 31st) brought lots of people to Sweet Arrow Lake to try their luck. Most were successful. In the last photo, it isn't a trout, but to the young fellow who caught it, a big fish is a big fish.

2007-03-30T14:10:00.000-04:00

The Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association/Swatara Cooperative Trout Nursery stockes Sweet Arrow with about 1,000 nice trout. The PCC crew helped out.

2007-03-12T15:46:00.000-04:00

Work begins on the expansion of the Fish and Boat Launch area. This project is funded by the Fish and Boat Commission, DCNR and Schuylkill County.

2007-03-07T15:37:00.000-05:00

The PCC was busy during the winter creating signs and reconstructing shutters for the Clubhouse in the traditional style.

2007-03-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

Water returned to the falls several weeks after the valve was closed.

2007-02-02T15:26:00.000-05:00

Grover the groundhog made his first public appearance in 60 years for the 1st Annual Groundhog Day event at the Clubhouse. He predicted an early spring. Let's hope he is right.

2007-01-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

While the Lake was drawn down, fish habitat including rock rubble piles and post clusters were installed. These provide "structure" which fish need for breeding and hiding.

2006-12-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

The Lake was drawn down in December 2006 to allow for the installation of 3 "Dry Hydrants" for fire protection. The Falls disappeared for a while.

2006-12-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

A 10 foot wide extension was added to the Boat Launch for added safety during the drawdown.

2006-12-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

Christmas at the Clubhouse- hosted by SALCA. Besides the decorations, the sounds of Chistmas were heard from the Bell Choir

2006-10-30T14:44:00.000-05:00

Blue Mountain High School Students and RSVP study Macroinvertebrates at the Park

2006-10-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

Two bus loads of sightseers started the Fall Foliage Tour at the Falls Parking lot. SALCA served up lunch. Porcupine Pat and Frank Snyder were the tour guides.

2006-10-10T14:30:00.000-04:00

View from the old Arrowhead Reservation grove

2006-09-30T14:03:00.000-04:00

The PCC Crew worked hard on Lakefront Trail. This is one of several bridges or ramps built to better navigate the trail by foot.

2006-09-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

Typical wedding setup at the Clubhouse.

2006-08-23T21:16:00.000-04:00

80 porcupine cribs were built and installed in August, 2006.
Thanks to many volunteers and the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

2006-07-30T13:46:00.000-04:00

The Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association and the
Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association held "Lake Appreciation Day" on 7/28/06.
For their hard work and generous contributions, John and Carol Keesey were given Lifetime Memberships in SALCA.
John built the dock in the photo and also built several new picnic tables for the park.

2006-07-25T13:55:00.000-04:00

Lightning struck a large hemlock several feet from the Clubhouse.
The tree had to be removed.

2006-07-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

The July 4th Free Concert by the Pine Grove Band
was a Big hit for the 2nd year in a row.

2006-06-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

The June 28, 2006 Flooding made a spectacular Falls view.
Damage to the Lake was minimal but the waters backed
up all the way to Wolfes Road (first photo)

2006-06-21T14:29:00.000-04:00

YMCA Day at the Lake ---
Canoeing, fishing, Frogs, mammals--the kids loved it all.

2006-06-17T14:26:00.000-04:00

6/17/07 Bass Tournament was a lunker of
a success.

2006-06-15T14:21:00.000-04:00

A painted turtle emerged from underneath
the pavilion one day.

2006-05-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

The Bridge over the Falls is officially dedicated
on May 26, 2006

2006-05-05T17:51:00.000-04:00

Work continues on the parking lot and lighted walking path to the bridge over the falls

2006-04-24T19:37:00.000-04:00

The PCC crew and Denise Donmoyer float the dock John Keesey built into place. The PCC crew built the stone pier. They discovered a couple days later why they need to finish it with a stone ramp. We recieved over 2 inches of rain overnight.

2006-04-21T19:33:00.000-04:00

Construction has begun on the lighted pathway to the Falls Bridge.

2006-04-15T16:59:00.000-04:00

Hundreds lined the banks and floated the waters in hopes of catching trout. The first annual fishing derby and breakfast was a tremendous success.

2006-04-15T16:53:00.000-04:00

The first day of trout season and Jennifer Schwartz catches the first tagged trout in Sweet Arrow Lake and wins the the $50 first prize from the Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association.

2006-04-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

The PCC Crew Works hard on the
Clubhouse side of Waterfall Trail

2006-03-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

381 people enjoy breakfast at the first annual Maple Syrup Festival held at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park

2006-02-22T20:17:00.000-05:00

Foxfire enterprises puts the finishing touches on the upstairs interior of the Clubhouse while the PA Conservation Corps continues to convert the basement into an Environmental Education Center/meeting room.

The light fixtures were donated by the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association largely through a gift from a single generous donor.

2006-02-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

The Bridge and falls.

2006-02-02T19:57:00.000-05:00

Schuylkill County Tourist Promotion Bureau holds a press conference at the Clubhouse to introduce its new brochure featuring a photo of a sunset on Sweet Arrow taken by John Keesey.

2006-01-29T20:03:00.000-05:00

The 80 Foot aluminum walk bridge over the Falls financed by the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation is set on a clear and crisp day in January.

2006-01-17T19:45:00.000-05:00

In the main hall of the clubhouse, funding provided by the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation are providing for the installation of a new heating system, air conditioning, new windows, insulation and a new ceiling.

2006-01-15T19:42:00.000-05:00

The Pennsylvania Conservation Corps has been doing major renovations to the Clubhouse basement.

2005-12-28T19:39:00.000-05:00

The Conservation Club uses the Clubhouse basement to construct birdhouses.

2005-12-04T19:33:00.000-05:00

The Clubhouse became the hit of the Holly Trail thanks to the hard work the volunteers from SALCA put into decorating.

2005-10-15T19:16:00.000-04:00

In 2005, for the first time since the County owned the Lake, the Clubhouse and pavilion was open for public rental.

This wedding started in a church in Pine Grove, traveled by horse and buggy to the fish and boat access area, from there by pontoon boat to the clubhouse for the reception.

2005-07-04T19:11:00.000-04:00

July 4th Concert by the Pine Grove Community Band attracted nearly 200 people.

2005-06-22T19:06:00.000-04:00

The Army Corps helped out with YMCA day teaching animal indentification.

2005-06-22T19:04:00.000-04:00

YMCA Day at the Lake -with over 100 participants from all over the County.

2005-05-22T18:57:00.000-04:00

Winners of the "patiotic" theme contest for the SALCA and NSCWA 2nd annual Lake Appreciation Day

2005-04-16T18:48:00.000-04:00

1000 trout, some tagged for prizes, a beautiful day, a newly found lake for fishing and crowd control almost becomes an issue on the first day of trout season.

2005-04-06T18:45:00.000-04:00

The Clubhouse becomes a classroom for the study of macroinveribrates.

2004-12-30T17:28:00.000-05:00

The Schuylkill Conservation District donates a badly needed storage building to the Park.

2004-10-18T09:25:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Ivan tested the Dam breast improvements. Note the high water mark from the debris on the rip-rap about half way up the breast.

2004-08-30T11:19:00.000-04:00

Stump removal and landscaping restored the parklands to usable condition.

2004-06-12T09:32:00.000-04:00

Fishermen are beginning to rediscover Sweet Arrow Lake as a great place to fish and boat. Trout, Crappies and other panfish are being reported being caught.

2004-05-23T18:33:00.000-04:00

Lake Appreciation Day was held by the 2 major voluteer groups- Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association and the Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association