<P> A tornado struck Clearfield County during the 1985 Barrie tornado outbreak that occurred on May 31 of that year and destroyed a great portion of the forest in Parker Dam State Park . The tornado was reported as an F4 on the Fujita scale with winds in the park of up to 260 M.P.H. At the time of the tornado, not many people were in the park, although a couple of campers and boy scouts were on hand to tell the story of survival . This tornado escaped the news, due to no loss of life and its location . It was the longest - lived tornado of the outbreak that day in the state, staying on the ground for 69 miles, and stretching across the counties of Clearfield, Clinton, and Centre, and was one of four F4 tornadoes to touch down in Pennsylvania that day . The state used this as an opportunity to teach about how forests will regrow if left untouched after a tornado . Mud Run Road dissects the tornado damaged area . The land to the west of the road was left untouched and many large and bare tree trunks are left standing . The fallen trees to the east of the road were salvaged for lumber . The forest is regrowing at different rates on either side of the road, providing a study of the effects of man on reforestation . May 31, 2016 marks the 31st anniversary of the tornado event . </P> <P> Parker Lake is a 20 - acre (8.1 ha) man made lake in Parker Dam State Park created by the damming of Laurel Run . The camping and picnic areas are located on the shores of the lake . There is a sand beach at Parker Lake that is open from 8: 00 am until dusk from Memorial Day until the end of September . Beginning in 2008 lifeguards will not be posted at the beach . </P> <P> Boating on Parker Lake is limited to non powered and electric powered boats . All boats must be properly registered with any state and have a launching or mooring permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission . The lake is a fishing destination for those in search of largemouth bass, sunfish, and brown bullhead . When the lake freezes in winter it is open to ice fishing and ice skating . </P> <P> Hunting is permitted on about 526 acres (213 ha) of Parker Dam State Park . Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission . The common game species are ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkey, white - tailed deer, and rabbits . The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited . </P>

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