YORK COUNTY, Pa. — After two years of construction and renovation, the York Water Company announced that Lake Williams will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 25.
“York Water is excited to kick off the summer of 2024 by opening Lake Williams to the public this Memorial Day Weekend," the announcement reads. "We have been working towards this holiday weekend and look forward to seeing boaters exploring the lake once more."
The reopening comes after more than two years of construction to replace the 110-year-old Lake Williams Dam. The work forced the York Water Company to drain the lake.
The lake is the main source of drinking water for most of York County.
"We're looking at the result of 15 years worth of planning, permitting, design and construction activity to bring us to where we are today," York Water Company President and CEO J.T. Hand told FOX43. "A reservoir that's full, a dam that's been rehabilitated, and a recreation opportunity reopening to the public."
The lake will be open for hiking and recreational activities such as boating. Two small islands near the dam are reserved for turtles only and will be closed to guests.
Hiking trails throughout the over 1,600-acre William Kain Park remain open except for the immediate area around the Lake Williams Dam construction site that surrounds the dam. Community members are reminded that there is a small portion between hiking trails 2 and 4 that remain closed due to active construction.
The York Water Company stated in the announcement that the last phases of work on the dam are expected to be completed by the end of June, with all trails fully accessible at that time.