The DEP meeting was held Tuesday, August 18, 2026, just two days after a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sunday at the Pumping Station, commonly known as the "Pumpy," following improvements to the property.
After Skook News learned of the meeting, an inquiry was submitted to DEP seeking information about what was discussed.
Patti Monahan, Regional Communications Manager for DEP, confirmed that the meeting concerned violations of an existing order requiring the dam to remain drained because of its condition.
"The DEP meeting was held on August 18, 2026, to address violations of an existing order to keep the dam drained due to its poor condition," DEP said in its response to Skook News.
According to DEP, that order was issued in 2009, and the dam had been maintained in a drawn-down condition while the Borough investigated funding options.
"Although improvements were made around the dam, no rehabilitation to address the serious deficiencies at the dam have been submitted to DEP," the agency said.
DEP said a comprehensive discussion regarding the condition of the dam and the situation surrounding it took place during Tuesday's meeting.
DEP Order Dates Back to 2009
Along with its response, DEP provided Skook News with a copy of the August 10, 2009 compliance order issued to the Borough of Shenandoah for the Brandonville Pumping Station Dam.
The document shows that DEP identified an "Unsafe Condition of Dam or Appurtenant Structures."
Among the conditions marked on the order were problems involving the spillway, the structural soundness or stability of the dam, and damaged, blocked or inoperable low-level outlet works. DEP also declared that the conditions at the dam constituted a "dam hazard emergency."
As part of the corrective action, DEP ordered the Borough to immediately begin drawing down the reservoir at the maximum rate possible without causing downstream flooding and at a rate not exceeding one foot per day unless otherwise directed by the Department.
Once drained, the order directed the Borough to maintain the dam and impoundment in a drained condition until DEP authorized, in writing, either refilling the pool or maintaining a partial drawdown.
The 2009 order also called for the Borough to submit either a repair plan or a complete dam permit application addressing the inadequate structural integrity and hydraulic capacity of the spillway.
Borough Says Goal Is to Save Dam
Skook News reached out to current Shenandoah Borough Manager Mike Cadau following DEP's response and provided the Borough an opportunity to address the situation.
Cadau said the Borough and Pumping Station volunteers are committed to preserving the dam.
"The Borough, in coordination with the Pumping Station volunteers, is committed to working feverishly to do everything reasonably possible to save and preserve the Pumping Station Dam," Cadau said.
According to Cadau, the Borough's team will begin meeting next week to discuss possible mitigation measures and determine how to proceed.
Cadau also pointed to the distinction between a dam being classified as "high hazard" and a determination that a dam itself is unsafe.
"This situation is particularly concerning given that Schuylkill County has approximately 46 dams classified as high hazard, while the Pumping Station Dam is now facing the prospect of being drained," Cadau said. "It is important to understand that a high-hazard classification refers to the potential consequences if a dam were to fail and does not necessarily mean that a dam is currently unsafe."
While Cadau made that distinction regarding the meaning of a high-hazard classification generally, DEP's 2009 compliance order separately identified an "Unsafe Condition of Dam or Appurtenant Structures" at the Brandonville Pumping Station Dam and declared the conditions at the time to constitute a dam hazard emergency.
Borough Seeking Funding and Assistance
Cadau said the Borough has also contacted local elected officials seeking assistance with funding and other resources.
"We have also reached out to our local elected officials and requested their assistance in identifying potential funding, technical resources, and other support that may be available to help preserve the dam," Cadau said.
The Borough and volunteers now intend to examine what options may be available to address the situation.
"The Borough and the Pumping Station volunteers will work together to identify every reasonable mitigation option available," Cadau said. "Our goal is clear: we want to save the Pumping Station Dam, protect this important community asset, and preserve it for current residents and future generations."
Questions Remain About Alleged Violations
DEP's response establishes that Tuesday's meeting was held to address what the agency described as violations of the existing 2009 order. However, the information provided to Skook News does not specify exactly what actions DEP considers to be violations.It also remains unclear from the information provided whether the reservoir's water level had recently been raised, whether DEP had authorized any change in the required drawdown, or whether the alleged violations are related to another provision of the 2009 order.
DEP did distinguish between the recent improvements made around the dam and rehabilitation of the dam itself, stating that no rehabilitation addressing the serious deficiencies at the dam has been submitted to the agency.
The timing places the DEP meeting two days after the August 16 ribbon cutting celebrating recent improvements at the Pumpy.
For now, Borough officials say their attention is turning toward mitigation, funding and finding a path that could allow the Pumping Station Dam to be preserved.
Skook News will continue to seek additional information regarding the specific violations cited by DEP and what actions the agency is requiring the Borough to take following Tuesday's meeting.