The parking and recreation areas around Kinzua Dam have been closed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers citing an “ongoing law enforcement issue.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the recreation areas at and around Kinzua Dam due to an “ongoing law enforcement issue.”

“In response to an ongoing law enforcement issue, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District has temporarily closed the dam parking lot, dam pedestrian access area, Visitor Information Center parking lot, Visitor Information Center building and downstream picnic area,” according to a statement on the Kinzua Dam’s Facebook page.

“These measures are intended to be only temporary and we hope to be able to return to our normal posture in the near future,” officials said. “We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.”

Pittsburgh District Public Affairs Officer Jeff Hawk was quick to note that this is “not a dam safety issue,” is not a problem tied to the stability and operation of the dam and is also not a funding issue.

“We will open up those areas once law enforcement inform(s us) the issue has been resolved,” Hawk said.

“We can’t put a timeline on it.”

The Times Observer did not observe any visible law enforcement presence on the top of Kinzua Dam or at Big Bend Recreation Area.

Part of the parking lot at Big Bend, as well as the road to the boat launch, were not closed as of approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Sheriff Ken Klakamp said Thursday afternoon that the action was precautionary in response to a threat.

“We don’t want people to worry about something structurally wrong with the dam,” Hawk said. “There’s nothing wrong (with the Dam).”