Boating season set to begin memorial Day weekend

Apr. 30—SUNBURY — The 2024 boating season will kick off Memorial Day weekend at the Shikellamy State Park, according to officials.

Andrew Leidich, Shikellamy State Park manager for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said the season will begin on May 24 as per the traditional start-of-season inflation process of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam.

"This unique dam structure, when inflated, creates the seasonal recreational pool of Lake Augusta located at the confluence of the Susquehanna River," he said.

"All Shikellamy State Park marina slip holders are allowed access and moor their vessels at their assigned dock starting at sunrise on May 24."

Leidich said dam inflation will begin later today. It will take approximately two weeks for Lake Augusta to be brought to full-pool, he said.

"From mid-May to Memorial Day weekend, the park's courtesy boat ramp docks and marina slip holder docks will be installed by park crews," he said.

Boat gas sales and boat rentals are anticipated to begin in early June, officials said.

Sunbury City Councilman Jim Eister said the boat docks in the city will be put in place on May 24 and will be ready to go.

Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious said he hopes people use the docks and walk through the riverfront and in the city.

"I'm happy to see the start of the season coming," he said. "The river is great for boating and fishing, and I want people to stop in Sunbury and see our great establishments."

Brosious said when the Sunbury Summer Kick Off takes place on June 8, he expects to see boaters pull up and enjoy the day in the city.

"We look forward to seeing people come from all over," he said.

The end-of-season is set for the traditional time of early October, with all marina slip holders required to have their vessels removed from park docks by sunset on Oct. 6, Leidich said.

Dam deflation will begin Oct. 7 and will take approximately two weeks for Lake Augusta to return to its natural river level, he said.

For additional information, contact the Shikellamy State Park Office by calling 570 988-5557 or emailing to: [email protected].