HARRISBURG -- An increase in boating horsepower limits at six state park lakes was announced Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Effective immediately, outboard motor limits will increase from 18 horsepower to 20 horsepower at lakes including Goddard State Park's Lake Wilhelm and Moraine State Park's Lake Arthur. All lakes involved in the pilot program are larger than 1,000 acres. Lake Pymatuning at Pymatuning State Park is targeted for the 20-horsepower limit, but not before the needed approval in joint legislative action by Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Park officials at the affected lakes say boaters routinely circumvented the originally posted horsepower limits by altering carburetion systems, or displaying horsepower motor covers on motors that actually were more powerful.

Outboard motors larger than 20 horsepower may be attached to boats used in all state park lakes, but they can be operated only in those lakes approved for unlimited horsepower.