By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

A portion of Old Mill Rd. that runs across the dam at Marion Reservoir will close for repairs to 50-year-old supports of the new bridge’s deck.

Pawnee Rd. will serve as an alternate route to the reservoir during repairs, which are expected to take about four months, assistant lake manager Kevin McCoy said.

Fishing will be allowed in the spillway near the dam.

Unlike last year’s repairs, heavy equipment will not be needed for the project, McCoy said.

The boat dock at Marion Cove remains the only one available to boaters as campgrounds at the reservoir remain closed, because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Repair work on last year’s flood damage continues, McCoy said.

“You would be surprised to find what is broken. Hot water tanks need to be repaired, picnic tables are still being removed and road repairs are still needed,” he said.

Staff at the reservoir are giving trees identified as damaged a little more time to see if they will leaf out, because it is still early in the season.

But McCoy said some areas around the lake are still not completely safe and visitors need to stay out of areas closed off by barricades.

“There have been people fishing, walking and swimming in some locations they are not supposed to be in,” he said. “We need the public’s cooperation.”