Soon after LEDE News published a story about the Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area, a rumor spread through the area that the facility’s four lakes would soon be drained because of longwall mining taking place in the area.
That rumor, according to Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard, is not true.
“I can confirm that the state is not going to drain the lakes at Bear Rock,” he said. “Now, if the mine subsidence does it after the longwall goes under, then those lakes could lose some water or completely drain. I have seen that take place with some farm ponds before.
“A lot of it will depend on how far below the miners are from the lakes,” Howard explained. “So, there is a chance that one or more of the lakes could lose some of the water, but nature will seal it up and refill it over time. That’ll depend on how much water is lost.”
Mining has been taking place in that area of Ohio County for more than a year. Tunnel Ridge, the only coal mining operation active in Ohio County, has purchased several homes in the Dallas Pike area because the seam is situated directly under the properties. Lane closures on both sides along Interstate 70 have lasted for more than a year
“In some areas of I-70, the roadway went down about a foot, so that’s why we had the lane closures,” Howard said. “And the thing is, you don’t know when the subsidence is going to affect the surface because it takes time for it to happen. Sometimes, there aren’t visible on the surface, but most of the time they are.
“We were informed that the mining operation would take place under Bear Rock, and that’s because the people with Tunnel Ridge have worked very hard to make sure we know what is going to take place. Those folks have this planned out in phases through 2024,” the sheriff explained. “So, we’ll just have to see what happens.”
The Bear Rocks Lakes Wildlife Management Area is a 16-acre patch of land that includes four lakes that were manmade in 1949. Bear Lake does have a boat ramp for crafts with electric motors only, and there are picnic and restroom areas for visitors, too.
There’s no camping, and swimming also is prohibited. Live minnows as bait have been banned by the state Division of Natural Resources, and a path surrounds most of the 7.5-acre Bear Lake. There are several signs within the wildlife area informing visitors that alcohol is banned, as well.
“Our deputies patrol the Bear Rock area pretty often because it’s secluded out there, and our guys just want to make sure the folks who visit are following the rules. If a deputy notices a significant change to the water level, I’m sure he’ll let us know about it,” Howard said. “For that matter, I think if anyone notices anything, we’ll get a call.
“Now that people will know there’s that possibility, they are going to be watching pretty close,” the sheriff added. “I really hope none of the lakes loses water, but as I said, it’s possible, and I have seen it happen before.”
