FRANKLIN TWP, Beaver County — The Hereford Manor Lakes dam repair project may get a new source of funding soon.

The Beaver County Conservation District is seeking money from the State College-based Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation to repair the dam at the lower lake.

“They were instrumental in bringing back Glade Run Lake,” said George Sullivan, conservation district board member and Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League delegate.

The conservation district along with elected officials are meeting Friday to discuss foundation funding. No dollar amount has been determined. Among the officials expected to attend are state Sen. Elder Vogel and state Rep. Jim Marshall, as well as state Fish and Boat Commission members.

Tony Rich, Sportsmen’s Conservation League president, said this lake was chosen because of good access and parking, and the amount of shoreline.

“There is public awareness of that lake,” Rich said. “People want it to come back.”

No voting is expected to be done at the meeting.

Hereford Manor Lakes were once a popular destination for fishermen in trout season, being hailed as the most fished trout lake in Pennsylvania by conservation officials.

Catfish, largemouth bass and saugeye also made their habitat in the lakes.

However both lakes were drained in 2012 by the state Fish and Boat Commission because of deteriorated dams. The commission deemed the state-owned lakes a “high hazard” that would have directly impacted 27 people, six homes and one business had they failed.

Glade Run Dam in Middlesex Township faced the same fate in 2011, being drained to relieve pressure. Bids were received earlier this year to rebuild it. The project is expected to cost about $3 million.

But finding funding for the Hereford repairs has been a struggle. The cost to repair and refill just the lower lake is about $12 million.

Groups like the Hereford Manor Lake Conservancy group have tried raising money for the dam project. The group tried to raise about $10 million for the project but stopped in 2012. The group then turned to the state for funding. However, that has made little progress.

The area has seen an effect on tourism as the influx of fishermen has diminished.

“That lake (Hereford Manor) hailed a high level of participation. It contributed $12 million a year in about a 60-mile radius to the economy from gas stations to bait shops to Turnpike fees,” Rich said.

Conservation officials say the amount of people wanting the lake back has attracted “a good amount” of attention from the state.

“The more people we get involved, the better this is going to be,” Sullivan said.

Friday’s meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Beaver County Conservation District on Cowpath Road off Route 151.