Authorized by the
Flood Control Acts of 1938, Shenango River Lake is one of 16 flood
control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project provides flood
protection for the Shenango River Valley as well as for the Beaver and
upper Ohio Rivers. Since its completion in 1965, Shenango has prevented
over $140 million in flood damage. The project has the capability to
store the equivalent run-off of 10.5 inches of precipitation from its
589 square mile drainage area. Shenango River Lake’s flood control
benefits were demonstrated during the June 1972 flooding resulting from
Tropical Storm Agnes when over $1.8 million in damages were prevented.
Shenango also provides water releases during dry periods to improve
water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, recreation
and aquatic life.
The
Pennsylvania Game Commission
manages approximately 3,000 acres of project land for wildlife purposes
including a waterfowl propagation area. The Ohio portion of the project
is managed by the
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
also for wildlife management.
History buffs will
enjoy exploring the remnants of the Erie Extension Canal, sections of
which are located on project property. The Erie Extension Canal played
a key role in the economic development of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Portions of the canal’s towpath are maintained for hiking and are part
of the Shenango Trail. The well-preserved remains of Lock Number 10 are
found in Sharpsville, approximately one-half mile downstream of the
Shenango Dam.
Lake & Dam Statistics
Location:
On the Shenango River in Hermitage, Mercer County, Pa. |
|
Project area,
acres |
15,071 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
589 |
Construction
cost |
$38,000,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure:
concrete
gravity with an uncontrolled center spillway |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
67.7 |
Length, feet |
720 |
Width at base,
feet |
66 |
Volume of
concrete, cubic yards |
60,000 |
Outlet Works:
Discharge
is regulated by seven 5’ x 7’ sluice gates |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at
normal pool, miles |
11 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
11,090 |
Normal
(summer pool) |
3,560 |
Elevation,
feet above sea level: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
919 |
Normal
(summer pool) |
896 |
Streambed at
dam |
866 |
Vicinity
Map
Recreation
Come explore
and enjoy the outdoors! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to
visit Shenango River Lake and experience the variety of recreational
opportunities available at the project.
Situated within the
suburban Shenango Valley, Shenango River Lake provides an attractive
setting for your enjoyment. Visitors may choose to spend their day
picnicking, camping or enjoying nature's beauty at one of the many
recreation or access areas located on the project.
Many
fishing enthusiasts are attracted to the waters of Shenango River Lake
for the bass, walleye, muskellunge and variety of panfish that inhabit the
lake. In addition, thousands of anglers are drawn to the dam's outflow
area to fish for trout which are stocked annually by the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
during the spring. Boating is among the most popular and varied of
recreational activities at Shenango River Lake with six boat launch
ramps provided. Most of the lake is available for unlimited horsepower
operation and water skiing, however some areas are on the lake are
designated for 10 horsepower motors and minimum wake operation only.
Areas are provided
on the lake for unlimited horsepower operation and water skiing as well
as areas designated for 10 horsepower motors only and minimum wake
operation.
For those visitors
who prefer to canoe, both the Shenango River, upstream of the lake, and
Pymatuning Creek offer excellent canoeing opportunities, beautiful
scenery and a chance to observe nature.
Campers visiting
Shenango River Lake will enjoy the spacious and modern facilities
available at the Shenango Recreation Area campground. Hot showers,
flush toilets and a sanitary disposal station are provided, as well as
330 campsites, many of which are equipped with electric hookups.
The Seth Myers and
Coonie Trails which are one-half mile, self-guided, interpretive nature
trails, invite visitors not only to experience the beauty of Shenango
River Lake but at the same time to learn about its varied habitats and
the relationships between plants, animals and man.
Hunting and trapping
are permitted on project lands with the exception of developed
recreation areas, wildlife propagation areas and posted areas. All
federal, state and local laws governing these activities apply on
project lands and waters.
Current Events
Campground Reservations
Many
campsites at four Pittsburgh District lakes – Berlin Lake, Shenango
River Lake, Tionesta Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake – can be reserved
in advance through the
National Recreation Reservation Service
(NRRS), an interagency one-stop center for recreation reservations.
Reservations can be made up to six months before arrival by calling the NRRS toll-free at 1-877-444-6777 or on their web site
www.Recreation.gov. Campsites at all
other Pittsburgh District lakes, as well as other campsites at Berlin,
Shenango, Tionesta and Youghiogheny, are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. At Tionesta Lake, reservations for the Tionesta
Recreation Area Campground are available through the NRRS.
U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary Program at Shenango Lake Ampitheater, July 26 at 7:00pm
Join the U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Members for evening full of important safety
information. Learn about Federal and State Regulations and about Vessel
Safety. Ask any questions you may have about the operation of your
vessel or the items required onboard. Come and get your FREE brochures,
coloring books, and life savers. We look forward to see you…SAFE!
Movie Night at Shenango
Lake Ampitheater, July 26 at 9:00pm
Come watch
Jack Hannah of Zoo Life and the Columbus Zoo talk and share the
discoveries of our world’s many Amazing Animals. Learn of the
unique adaptations animals have developed in order to live in such
environments as the desert, the jungle, and the sea. See a slithery boa
constrictor, a black furry bearcat, sea lions having a splash and much
more! Spend just 40mins with us and you will experience a multitude of
worlds – a great way to cap off Saturday night.
Finding of of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Trout Island
Recreational Trail
Mercer County Trails Association, Inc. is seeking a real estate easement
from the Pittsburgh District to construct a recreation trail along an
abandoned railroad bed that extends from Sharpsville, Pa. to
Orangeville, Ohio. An Environmental Assessment for the proposed trail
was prepared by Winslow Engineering, Inc. for the Trails Association.
After careful review and evaluation of the environmental effects of the
proposed trail, the Pittsburgh District prepared a
FONSI for the segment of the trail that
is on Federal land at Shenango River Lake.
Bayview
Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Area
The
Bayview ORV Area is open for the 2008 recreation season from May 24
through September 28. Operating hours are sunrise to sunset. ATV
riders are reminded to observe posted regulations.
Regulations
for ATV Riders Using the Bayview Off-Road Vehicle Area |
v
Riders must stay within the posted boundaries of the riding area.
Operating an ATV outside of the designated riding area will result
in the issuance of a citation, impoundment of the ATV and/or local
and state penalties.
v
Riders must have a current registration for the ATV and display a
registration sticker or state issued registration plate.
v
Helmets must be worn at all times.
v
Riders under 10 years of age are not permitted to operate any type
of off-road vehicle in the Bayview ORV Area. Riders 10 to 15 must
complete a safety education course and posses a current safety
training certificate before being permitted to operate any type of
off-road vehicle. The rider must be in possession of the
certificate while riding at Bayview.
Other rules
and regulations posted in the area must be observed at all times. |
Mahaney, Clark and Shenango Day Use Areas
The Mahaney,
Clark and Shenango Day Use Areas are open from sunrise to sunset. The Shenango Day Use Area
remains open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic year-round. The
restrooms at the Shenango Day Use Area close when the entire Clark and
Mahaney Day Uses Areas close in late October. Vehicles left in the
Mahaney Area past sunset are subject to fines and/or towing. Call the
Park Office for more information.
Boat
Launching
The Shenango
and Clark boat launch ramps are open 24-hours a day. Beginning May 11,
2007 a boat launching fee of $3 per day will be charged. An annual Day Use
Pass may be purchased for $30 ($15 with a valid America the Beautiful
Senior/Access Pass or Golden Age/Access
Passport). This pass permits the holder and accompanying passengers in
a vehicle to use all boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at any
Corps-operated recreation area without further charge. An annual pass,
valid for 12-months from the month of purchase, can be purchased at the
Park Office using cash or a personal check or money order payable to "FAO,
USAED, Pittsburgh". Call the Park Office with questions or to make an
appointment to purchase a Corps of Engineers Annual Day Use Pass.
Pavilion Reservations
The fee for
reserving a picnic pavilion at Shenango Lake is $40 per day. Pavilions
can be reserved at the Park Office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m., or by calling the Park Office. There are five pavilions
available in the Mahaney Area, one in Shenango and one in Clark.
Life
Jacket Loaner Program
The Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has funded a Life Jacket
Loaner Program at Shenango Lake. Life jackets are available for
infants, children and youth as well as some adults. The U.S. Coast
Guard requires recreational boaters to have a wearable life jacket on
board for each passenger, but life jackets suitable for children are not
always available. In addition, at Shenango Lake and other Corps of
Engineers lakes in the Pittsburgh District, it is required that children
under 13 years of age wear a life jacket while boating. Children are
especially at risk on and near the water. A properly sized life jacket
can be the difference between life and death for a small child. A boater
merely signs out the jacket(s) and returns them at the end of the day.
Please call the Campground Contact Station at 724-646-1115 to make
arrangements.
Facilities & Activities
|
Chestnut
Run
Swim
Beach |
Clark
Recreation
Area |
Golden
Run
Wildlife
Area |
Hartford
Access
Area |
Kidd's Mill
Covered Bridge |
Mahaney
Recreation Area |
Marina |
Parker's Landing
Access
Area |
Shenango
Recreation
Area |
Boat Rental |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
Campground |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Campground
Hookups |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Camper Dumping Station |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Drinking Water |
X |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Launching Ramp |
- |
X |
X |
X |
- |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Pets on Leash |
X |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Picnic Areas |
X |
X |
- |
|
X |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Picnic
Shelters |
X |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Restroom
Facilities |
X |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Accessible
Restroom |
X |
X |
- |
- |
- |
X |
X |
- |
X |
Showers |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
X |
Swimming Area |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Swimming Area w/
Life Guard |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Links
of Interest
|