Pennsylvania American Water has started an $8 million renovation of the Thorn Run Dam and Reservoir near Route 38.

Construction on the 107-year-old earthen dam includes safety upgrades as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Tony Nokovich, senior engineer for the project.

"The project is the result of a combination of things, including the age of the dam," Nokovich said today.

He said the concrete spillway will be widened to increase the amount of water that can be released from the reservoir at a time.

The project will require lowering water levels by several feet in the reservoir, which will not significantly affect fishing at the reservoir, Gary Lobaugh, company spokesman, said.