TIOGA, Pa. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, has officially reopened South Shore Beach on Cowanesque Lake, effective Friday, July 17, 2026.
The beach had been temporarily closed to swimmers following a routine water test that showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. A follow-up water quality analysis has since confirmed that bacteria levels at South Shore Beach have returned to a safe, acceptable range that meets public health standards for swimming and recreation.
Ives Run Beach on Hammond Lake will remain closed until follow-up water tests confirm that bacteria levels have returned to a safe range for public access. To ensure public awareness and prioritize safety, USACE has posted closure signs at the impacted location.
All other recreation areas remain open for day-use activities, including Tompkins Beach on Cowanesque Lake, boat ramps and picnic shelters. Tioga, Hammond, and Cowanesque lakes also remain fully accessible for boating and fishing.
Visitors are reminded that while other designated swimming areas across the lakes remain open on a swim-at-your-own-risk basis, everyone is urged to exercise caution and wear a life jacket when in or around the water.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a broad group of bacteria found naturally in the environment, foods, and the intestines of people and animals. While many strains are completely harmless, certain types can cause illness, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting if accidentally swallowed.
Bacteria levels in freshwater bodies like Cowanesque Lake fluctuate daily based on precipitation, water inflow, and the presence of humans or waterfowl. Contamination typically originates near the shoreline rather than in deeper water. USACE conducts water quality tests weekly to closely monitor these changing conditions.
USACE will continue its regular schedule of weekly water quality testing to monitor conditions and ensure the continued safety of all visitors.
For future operational updates, please visit the official Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lake websites and the project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thclakes.
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About Tioga-Hammond Lakes
The Tioga-Hammond Lakes project, located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, is a unique water resources management system consisting of two separate dams: one on the Tioga River and the other along Crooked Creek. Operationally complete in 1978, the project features the 685 surface-acre Hammond Lake and the 498 surface-acre Tioga Lake, which are linked by a gated connecting channel. Both projects are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, to provide flood risk management, ecological stewardship, and diverse public recreation opportunities.
About Cowanesque Lake
Cowanesque Lake is located on the Cowanesque River in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, near the town of Lawrenceville. Completed in 1980, the Cowanesque Dam features a rolled rock and earthfill embankment spanning 3,100 feet in length and rising 151 feet above the lake bottom. Built to manage flood risks, supplement water supply, and optimize river flow, the lake spans 1,085 surface acres and serves as a premier destination for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of family-friendly activities, including boating, fishing, hunting, water-skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, and attending amphitheater programs.