FRANKLIN TWP, Beaver Co. — 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.

Glade Run Dam in Butler County faced the same fate in 2011, being drained to relieve pressure on the dam.

The conservation district along with elected officials are meeting Friday morning to discuss details about receiving money from the foundation.

Among the officials expected to attend are state Sen. Elder Vogel and state Rep. Jim Marshall, and state Fish and Boat Commission members.

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

However both lakes were drained in 2012 by the Fish and Boat Commission because of deteriorated dams.

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

“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.