Authorized by the Flood
Control Act of 1938, Youghiogheny River Lake is one of 16 flood control
projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project provides flood
protection for the Youghiogheny and lower Monongahela River Valleys as
well as for the upper Ohio River.
Since its completion in
1943, the Youghiogheny project has prevented flood damages estimated to
be in excess of $526 million. Youghiogheny has the capability to store
the equivalent run-off of 11 inches of precipitation from its 434 square
mile drainage area.
In addition to flood
control, the dam helps to alleviate pollution problems by releasing
additional water downstream during low water periods. Increased stream
flow improves water quality by diluting polluted waters entering the
rivers from towns, industries and coal mine drainage. The increased
stream flow also improves the navigability of the Monongahela and upper
Ohio Rivers for commercial navigation.
Youghiogheny
Hydroelectric Authority holds a license issued by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission to operate a hydroelectric plant below the dam.
D/R Hydro Company is the firm that has operated and maintained the plant
since 1989. The power is fed into the Penelec power system and is used
over its entire area which includes most of western and central
Pennsylvania. The plant has the capacity to generate up to 12 Megawatts
of electricity per hour. This is enough to service approximately 8,000
homes for a year.
Lake & Dam Statistics
Location:
On Youghiogheny River in Fayette and Somerset Counties,
Pennsylvania, about 1.2 miles above Confluence |
|
Project area,
acres |
3,915 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
434 |
Construction cost |
$9,675,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure: Rolled earth fill with impervious core |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
184 |
Length, feet
|
1,610 |
Width at base,
feet |
1,100 |
Volume of earth,
cubic yards |
2,315,500 |
Volume of stone
fill, cubic yards |
745,000 |
Outlet Works: Concrete lined tunnel 18’ in diameter and
1,800’ long with three 4’3” x 20’ vertical lift gates |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at normal
pool, miles |
16 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
3,566 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
2,840 |
Elevation, feet
above sea level: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
1,470 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
1,439 |
Streambed at
dam |
1,313 |
Vicinity
Map
Recreation
In the heart
of the Laurel Highlands and spanning the Mason-Dixon Line between
Pennsylvania and Maryland
lays Youghiogheny River Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites
you to experience the clean waters, mountains and steep-sided valleys
which encompass the project and provide an unsurpassed setting for
outdoor recreation opportunities.
A popular location
for recreation, Youghiogheny River Lake attracts numerous visitors each
year. Boating,
hunting,
camping and many other
outdoor activities are enjoyed by visitors with outstanding facilities
provided for the public's convenience.
Boaters consider
Youghiogheny River Lake, with all its 16 mile length and channels up to
one-half mile wide, the best power boating and water-skiing lake in
southwestern Pennsylvania.
For the angler,
there are numerous coves and backwater areas along the lake which
provide excellent
fishing. The lake is
inhabited by a large variety of game and panfish and is especially known
as a hotspot for walleye and smallmouth bass. A license has been
granted to the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
for fish management purposes in the Pennsylvania portion of the lake.
The Fish and Boat Commission has also developed and maintains the
Jockey Hollow
Boat Launching Area. The
tail waters of the dam are very popular for trout fishing. Youghiogheny
River Lake's outflow area is one of the few areas in Pennsylvania open
for trout fishing year round (except for the two weeks immediately
preceding Opening Day) and is stocked by the Fish and Boat Commission on
a regular basis throughout the spring and summer.
Another popular
activity at Youghiogheny River Lake is
camping. Campers have a
choice of three campgrounds at which to stay, each offering something
different with facilities ranging from modern to primitive. For cycling
enthusiasts the Youghiogheny River Hiking-Biking Trail South runs from
Confluence, Pennsylvania, to
Ohiopyle State Park and
extends into the Outflow Campground.
Even if you're just
out for an afternoon drive, why not stop and have a lakeside picnic at
one of Youghiogheny’s four picnic areas? Then tour the project and
enjoy the scenery as well as the other numerous points of interest which
are within a short drive of the lake. An especially breathtaking time
for sightseeing at Youghiogheny River Lake is during the first half of
October when fall foliage colors are at their peak.
For those who prefer
to propel their boats with a paddle, the Youghiogheny River has plenty
to offer. From the outflow area of the dam and extending for
approximately 20 miles downstream is one of the most popular rafting and
canoeing rivers in the eastern United States. The boulder strewn
stretch of river below Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, is renowned for its
whitewater and is often the scene of national kayaking competitions.
Current
Events
Reservations for Campsites at Four Pittsburgh District Lakes
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.
Youghiogheny River Lake Recreation Area
Openings
Boat Launches
-
The Somerfield North, Spillway Recreation Area and Mill Run Recreation
Area boat launch ramps will be open 24- hours a day starting April 4.
Beginning May 23 through September 1, a boat launching fee of $3 per day
will be charged at all three of these ramps.
Swim Beaches
- The swim
beaches at Spillway Recreation Area, Mill Run Recreation Area, and Tub
Run are open. For more information, call
the Daily Lake & Recreation Information line at
(814) 395-3166.
The Spillway Recreation Area and the Mill Run Recreation Area swim
beaches will be open May 23 through September 1. A fee of $1 per
person, up to $4 per vehicle, will be charged at these swimming beaches.
There will be no fee for children 12 years of age and under.
Campground users will not pay day use fees in addition to camping fees.
Outflow Campground
-
The Outflow Campground remains open year-round; camping is free until
April 10. The Outflow Campground is open for self registration
from April 11 through May 15 and from September 8 through October 6.
The camping fee during self registration is between $13 and $26 per
night depending on amenities. From May 16 through September 7, the
camping fee is between $18 and $38 per night depending on amenities.
Reservations are available, by contacting the NRRS at the telephone
number or web site listed below. The campground is free of charge for
self-contained units from October 7 until early April 2009.
Tub Run Campground -
The Tub Rum Campground is open from May 16 through September 1. The
camping fee is between $18 and $22 per night depending on amenities.
Reservations are available by contacting the NRRS at the telephone
number or web site listed below.
Mill Run Campground
-
The Mill Run Campground remains open year-round. The Mill Run
Campground is open for self registration from May 1 through September 8.
The camping fee during self registration is $13 per night. The
campground is free of charge for self-contained units from September 9
until April 30, 2009.
Motorized Vehicles Prohibited Off Authorized Roadways
The operation and/or parking of motorized vehicles off authorized
roadways at Youghiogheny River Lake is prohibited. ORVs, ATVs and
other types of vehicles used for "mud bogging" or any other activity on
the lake bed during low pool levels are prohibited. Motorized
vehicles are not permitted anywhere on government property off
authorized roadways at Youghiogheny Lake.
Water
Release Schedule
The Pittsburgh District implemented the revised water release schedule
described in the Youghiogheny River Lake Water Management and
Reallocation Feasibility Report on August 29, 2005 with a transition
period of two years for monitoring and evaluation. This report
authorizes the Corps to reallocated 10,000 acre-feet of water quality
storage in Youghiogheny Lake to water supply. This change is due
to improvements in downstream water quality and to meet the future water
supply needs of the region. The change involves releasing slightly
less water into the Youghiogheny River during periods of normal river
levels and slightly more during extended dry periods for use by the
water purveyors. Releasing less water during periods of normal
river levels will also improve the level of Youghiogheny River Lake for
recreation and extend the boating season. Following the two year
monitoring and evaluation period, water purveyors are expected to be
able to enter into water supply contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineer to acquire additional storage made available for water supply.
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 Youghiogheny River Lake Park Office or
by mail using an
Annual Pass
Request Form.
Pavilion
Reservations
Looking for a place to have an outdoor gathering? Two pavilions
are available for family outings or group gatherings with plenty of
picnic tables and grills. Pavilion reservations are now being
accepted for the Outflow Recreation Area below the dam and the
Somerfield North Recreation Area by the State Route 40 bridge. The
rental fee is $50 per day at Outflow and $45 per day at Somerfield
North. Pavilions can be reserved in person at the Project Office
or by mail using a
Pavilion Reservation Request Form.
Facilities &
Activities
|
Jockey
Hollow
Boat
Launch |
Jockey
Hollow
Picnic
Area |
Mill
Run
Recreation
Area |
Outflow
Camping
Area |
Somerfield
North
Recreation
Area |
Somerfield
South
Marina |
Spillway
Recreation
Area |
Tub
Run
Camping
Area |
Accessible
Restroom |
|
|
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
Boat Launch Ramp |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
Boat Rental |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Campground |
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
X |
Camper Dump
Station |
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
X |
Drinking Water |
|
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
X |
Electric Hookups |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
Information Center |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marina |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Picnic Area |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Restroom
Facilities |
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Showers |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
Swim Area |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
X |
Trail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Links of Interest
|