Authorized by the Flood
Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Loyalhanna Lake is one of 16 flood
control projects in the Pittsburgh District. An important link in a
system of flood control projects, Loyalhanna provides flood protection
for the lower Loyalhanna Creek and Kiskiminetas River valleys as well as
the lower Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers. Since its completion in
1951, Loyalhanna has prevented over $514 million in flood damage. The
project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 6.16
inches of precipitation from its 290 square mile drainage area. When
compared to the flood prevention benefits which have resulted, the
construction cost of $5.5 million appears small. During dry periods,
additional water from Loyalhanna Lake is released downstream to improve
water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, navigation,
recreation, esthetics and aquatic life.
Lake &
Dam Statistics
Location:
On Loyalhanna Creek, 4.5 miles above its junction with the
Conemaugh River at Saltsburg, Pa., forming the Kiskiminetas
River. The project is located entirely in Westmoreland County,
Pa. |
|
Project area,
acres |
3,722 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
290 |
Construction cost |
$5,500,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure:
Concrete gravity with gate controlled center spillway and
adjoining earth embankment on left bank |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
114 |
Length, feet
(760 feet concrete; 200 feet earth) |
960 |
Width at base,
feet |
88.5 |
Volume of
concrete, cubic yards |
122,795 |
Volume of earth
fill, cubic yards |
59,793 |
Outlet Works:
Discharge is regulated by the control tower containing four 5.67’
x 7’ gate-controlled sluice gates, one 24” valve-controlled sluice
gate and five 29’ x 30’ crest gates. |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at normal
pool, miles |
4 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
3,280 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
435 |
Elevation, feet
above sea level: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
975 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
923 |
Streambed at
dam |
869 |
Vicinity
Map
Recreation
Located in
southwestern Pennsylvania, among terrain characterized by its diversity,
Loyalhanna Lake provides a mixture of scenery and recreational
opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Pittsburgh District invites you to visit the Loyalhanna
project and enjoy its natural settings.
Lake visitors will
discover topography that ranges from rolling foothills of the Laurel
Highlands, from which the headwaters of Loyalhanna Creek flow, to the
steep, wooded hillsides, and ravines found in the vicinity of the dam
site. In the midst of these surroundings, visitors to Loyalhanna Lake
can enjoy various outdoor activities either
on the water, or
around the water.
Fishing is extremely popular at Loyalhanna with an abundance of
inlets, coves and backwater areas to entice the angler. The lake
contains plentiful amounts of crappie, bullhead, catfish, bluegills,
largemouth bass and carp. Aside from these abundant species, anglers
have the opportunity to battle a trophy-sized musky or tiger musky, land
a walleye in the outflow and feel the hard hit of an occasional tiger
trout from the headwaters. There are also small, but established
populations of northern pike in the lake. Fishing is particularly good
in the area where Serviceberry Run flows into the lake, and in the
fast-paced waters of the outflow area below the dam.
For boaters the project
offers many fine opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. A three-lane
boat launching ramp is
provided for powerboats and water-skiing enthusiasts. Canoeists can
float Loyalhanna Creek, as it meanders on its sinuous course towards the
lake, providing paddlers with beautiful scenery and a chance to observe
nature along the way. Canoes can be launched at the Sanderson Bridge on
Derbytown Road, or the Bush Recreation Area.
Boaters and canoeists
at Loyalhanna also have the opportunity to venture along the Black
Willow Water Trail. This unique trail is a self-guided boating trail
with designated stations marking natural and man-made features.
Highlights of the trail include observing the osprey diving for a fish,
mingling with a family of wood ducks and studying the exotic erosion
patterns of headwater sandstone cliffs. A trail brochure supplies
additional information and is available at the Ranger Booth at the Bush
Recreation Area.
If
a quiet spot for an afternoon picnic with family and friends is
what you are looking for, Loyalhanna has it. The Dam Site Picnic
Area, with its shaded woodland setting, is especially popular, along
with the picnic area located at the Bush Recreation Area. Both
day-use picnic areas are equipped with a pavilion, picnic tables,
charcoal grills, drinking fountains and restroom facilities.
Loyalhanna has a
beautiful campground on the upper end of the lake at the Bush Recreation
Area. There are 44 campsites, a majority of which are in a woodland
setting and have a majestic view of the lake; twelve of these campsites
have water and electricity hookups and are equipped for larger RVs. All
sites have adequate tent space, a picnic table, lantern holder and fire
ring. The campground also contains restroom facilities, showers, a
playground, volleyball court and a sanitary dump station. A primitive
group campground, located at the Kiski Area, is available to organized
groups by contacting the Park Office. The Kiski Group Campground is
secluded and excellent for scout groups.
If a day of exercise
and adventure is what you are looking for, Loyalhanna has nearby
attractions that offer a variety of hiking and biking trails.
The West
Penn Trail, operated and maintained by the
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy,
follows the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal and West Penn Railroad
that were in operation during the mid 19th Century. The
Conemaugh River Lake, just a short drive away from the Loyalhanna, also
offers a visitors center, history exhibits and trails for outdoor
enthusiasts, such as the hiking trails along Bow Ridge and the Woodchuck
Nature Trail.
The Corps of Engineers
leases 2,894 acres of project lands to the
Pennsylvania Game Commission
for wildlife management purposes and public hunting. Hunters will
discover that the project's surrounding countryside holds an abundance
of different game species. Deer and small game, such as rabbits and
squirrels, abound. There is also a variety of game birds including
turkey, grouse, pheasants and doves for hunters with a keen eye.
Several hunters' parking lots have also been developed to provide access
to hunting areas. Maps showing the different access areas and
designated hunter parking lots can be accessed by contacting the Park
Office.
Current
Events
Annual
Day Use Pass
Fees of up
to $4/day are charged at many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use
areas, including beaches and boat launch ramps. Annual passes allow
visitors to avoid having to pay day use fees each time they visit any
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated day use area nationwide. Annual
passes, available at the Park Office of any site where fees are charged,
cost $30 per pass and are valid for 12-months from the month of
purchase. Individuals with a valid Golden Age/Access Passport or a
America the Beautiful Senior/Access Pass receive
50% off Annual Day Use Passes, including fees for camping and pavilion
reservations. Passes can be purchased in person at the Loyalhanna Park
Office or by mail using an
Annual Pass Request
Form.
Pavilion Reservations
Reservations
are being accepted for the Dam Site and the Lakeview Pavilion located at the Bush
Recreation Area. The rental fee is $40 per day. Pavilions
can be reserved by calling or visiting the Park Office or by mail using
a
Loyalhanna
Reservation Request form.
Facilities &
Activities
|
Bush
Recreation Area |
Inflow Access Area |
Kiski
Group
Camping
Area |
Loyalhanna
Dam Site |
Campground |
X |
- |
- |
- |
Camper Dump
Station |
X |
- |
- |
- |
Drinking Water |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Group Camping |
- |
- |
X |
- |
Launch Ramp |
X |
X |
- |
- |
Picnic Area |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Picnic
Shelters |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Playground |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Restrooms |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Accessible
Restroom |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Trails |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Campers
Corner
Camping Fees for Loyalhanna
-
Primitive Site – $16 per night
-
Water
and Electric Site – $22 per night
Basic
Rules & Safety Reminders for Loyalhanna
-
Alcoholic
beverages are prohibited at all times. Pets must be on a leash at all
times.
-
Sites are
limited to one camping unit per site. A second tent may be used only
for children 18 years of age or younger.
-
No more than two
vehicles per site, additional vehicles can park in the day use lot.
-
Parking on
campsite grass is prohibited.
-
Help yourself to
all DEAD wood in the campground vicinity.|
-
Quiet hours
after 10:00 p.m. All visitors must leave the campground by this time.
-
All visitors
must see a Park Ranger for a visitor parking permit.
-
Swimming is
permitted; swim at your own risk.
-
Fishing,
swimming and loitering at the boat launch and dock area is prohibited at
all times. Dock and ramp are for loading and unloading
only.
-
Use provided
dumpsters and garbage cans to dispose of your trash.
-
Make sure to be
equipped with properly sized PFDs for boating and canoe safety. Loyalhanna
boaters ARE REQUIRED to follow all Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
rules and regulations.
-
Keep radio/sound
devices at a level that is considerate of others.
-
Campground sites
are first-come, first-served basis. Putting a tag on a site post
without visual occupancy is prohibited. Leaving boats at
the dock for an extended amount of time is prohibited. Boaters are
permitted to pull boats onto the sand strip shoreline. However, boaters
are responsible for watching their boats.
-
The speed limit
in the park is 10 mph. Exceeding the 10 mph speed limit is prohibited
at all times. Follow signs for
day use and boat trailer parking options.
Campers Checklist |
|
Tent |
|
Multi-tool |
|
Fishing poles |
|
Sleeping bags |
|
First aid kit |
|
Bait and lures |
|
Ground pads |
|
Fire starters |
|
Hooks & sinkers |
|
Propane lantern |
|
Tent fan |
|
The net!!! |
|
Air mattress |
|
Blankets |
|
Arm chairs |
|
Compass |
|
Dinning canopy |
|
Flashlights |
|
Chest cooler |
|
Tent stakes |
|
Insect repellent |
|
Bottled water |
|
Dinnerware |
|
Environmental
products |
|
Binoculars |
|
Deck of cards |
|
Pillow |
|
Whistle |
|
Tarp |
|
Hammer for tent
stakes |
|
Sunscreen |
|
Misc. food items |
|
|
Links of Interest
|