The state has shut down one of its campgrounds on Raquette Lake (New York) for the next three seasons to ensure safety after people reported feeling a tingling sensation and stray voltage was detected.
According to a report, National Grid spokesman Jared Paventi said that people could feel electric currents last year in the dock area at Tioga Point campground and the day-use area, but the crews could not investigate until spring after the ice had melted. He wasn’t sure when the incidents occurred but said there were no injuries that have been reported.
After examining the issue recently, the power provider found that the stray voltage is coming from an underwater wire. The company is planning to replace it within the next week, Paventi said. The work is scheduled to begin on Monday and end on Wednesday.
Paventi stated that this would address the stray voltage problem in the short term. However, National Grid is working on a long-term solution to the problem.
He did not go into the plan’s specifics except that it is currently in the planning phase, which will require extensive permits. He added that the project is expected to be completed by 2025, but they are working to speed up the process.
We are working closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Public Service, as well as the town of Long Lake, on the matter,” Paventi said.
Tioga Point state campground is a boat-access site on the eastern side of Raquette Lake. It contains 15 lean-tos and ten tent sites but doesn’t have potable water.
The DEC said it closed Tioga Point out of an abundance of caution to protect public safety due to safety issues related to the cables.
This story originally appeared on Adirondack Explorer.