These solar bees were added to the Oneida Valley Reservoir in Oakland Township to help prevent algae growth by circulating water in the dam.

OAKLAND TWP — Three structures protruding from the Lake Oneida Dam that have been noticed by many motorists on Oneida Valley Road are not overturned boats or artifacts exposed by this summer's dry weather.

Gary Lobaugh, spokesman for Pennsylvania American Water, said they are new quality-improvement technology added to the 202-year-old public water source.

Josh Dunkle, a source water protection lead at Pennsylvania American Water, said the units are known as “solar bees.”

He explained that three solar panels on each of the structures power a paddle that circulates water in the dam 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

The paddle pulls the water from the bottom of the 573 million-gallon dam to the top and spreads it across the dam at a rate of 10,000 gallons per minute to help prevent algae growth.

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