News Release

Herd of goats for Lakebed Rehabilitation Project

News Release Date: October 2, 2020

Contact: Elizabeth Shope, Public Information Officer, 814-449-4125

Johnstown Flood National Memorial will continue the Lakebed Rehabilitation Project on October 2, 2020. Allegheny Goatscapes, based out of Pittsburgh, PA, will supply a herd of goats to assist in clearing the lakebed as the project moves forward. The mission of Allegheny Goatscapes is to “reduce invasive and unwanted vegetation in public spaces and vacant lots, utilizing goats for browsing.”   

The goats are eco-friendly and help lay the groundwork for future clearing. Allegheny Goatscapes will provide fencing for the herd, which also contains a miniature donkey! Park staff and volunteers will help care for the goats by providing water to the herd daily. The goats eat approximately one acre every two weeks. This portion of the project could continue until November.  

The public is welcome to view the herd during the time that park grounds are open. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. 

Please do not disturb or touch the fence line. It is electric for the safety of the animals. Please don’t feed the animals.  

Throughout the Lakebed Rehabilitation Project, special care will be taken to protect wetland areas and the stream in the lakebed. The project will restore areas of the lakebed to what it looked like shortly after the flood, enhancing the visitor experience at the memorial. The secondary goal of the project is to have areas outside of the wetlands and stream flourish with low lying vegetation and native grass and plants that can be maintained by the National Park Service. Rehabilitation was done in the lakebed in the 1980s, but the vegetation has since grown back.