Pittsburgh District Commander Nicholas Melin, Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist Vince Klinkner, and Corps of Engineers mascot Bobber the Water Safety Dog prepare to plant a tree during a dedication ceremony at Youghiogheny River Lake’s 75th celebration in Confluence, Pennsylvania on Aug. 19, 2023. Youghiogheny River Lake hosted a celebration commemorating the facility’s 75th anniversary. The celebration included speeches from Pittsburgh District Commander Nicholas Melin and Supervisory Natural Resource Manager Vince Klinkner, a time capsule and tree planting ceremony, dam tours, rock painting, and booths hosted by partner organizations who play a role in Youghiogheny River Lake’s operations. Although the dam was completed in 1943, it became fully operational in 1948. Since then, it has provided flood protection for the Youghiogheny River system and saved downstream communities more than $716 million in flood damages, alleviated waterway pollution, provided recreation opportunities, and improved navigation on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Andrew Byrne)