Canonsburg Lake gets help from local students
The day could not have been nicer. The temperature was warm, the sun was shining – and there were even ducks on the lake.
It was a perfect day to take a trip to Canonsburg Lake.
And that is what about 30 students from Peters Township High School and Canon McMillan High School did when they joined forces April 28 to clean around the lake, which sits in both North Strabane and Peters townships, and learn how to safely use a canoe. Each of the students who came to help did so on their own time.
The event was sponsored by the Canonsburg Lake Restoration and Improvement Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the 70-year-old lake. This was the second year the event was held.
“We’re just trying to do our part,” said Chelsea Geist, a Canon-McMillan environmental science and zoology teacher, who sponsors the school’s environmental club.
Canonsburg Lake was built in 1943 by Alcoa and quickly became a popular destination for local fishermen, canoers and picnickers. But the depth and extent of the lake has eroded over the years and needs maintenance work, such as dredging. Events like the one held April 28 are designed to draw attention to the lake and spark the interest of future generations.
“Hurricane Ivan did some damage to the lake,” said Carole Milas, a committee member.
Volunteers were treated to pizzas donated by Mm! Mm! Pizza in Peters and bottled water. While one group was canoeing, the other cluster of students were armed with heavy-duty trash bags to pick up garbage around the lake. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which manages the lake, supplied the eight canoes and more importantly, the safety tips.
Keith Compeggie, a Peters Township science teacher, is the faculty advisor of SAFE, which stands for Student Action for the Environment. He said club members were very passionate about doing their part to help with lake clean-up efforts.
“They love it,” Compeggie said.
Isabelle Henney, a senior at Peters, said it is important to take responsibility for nature and community assets.
“It’s fun,” she said. “I like cleaning the lake and canoeing.”