Authorized by the Flood
Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Tionesta Lake is one of 16 flood control
projects in the Pittsburgh District. Tionesta is a key link in a system
of flood control project for the Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers. Since
its completion in 1940, Tionesta has prevented over $536 million in
flood damage. The project’s flood control capabilities were
dramatically demonstrated during the 1972 flooding resulting from
Tropical Storm Agnes when over $62 million in damages were prevented by
Tionesta alone.
Location:
On Tionesta Creek, 1.25 miles above the confluence of the creek
with the Allegheny River at Tionesta, Pa., and about 100 miles
northeast of Pittsburgh, Pa. The project is located entirely in
Forest County. |
|
Project area,
acres |
3,184 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
478 |
Construction cost |
$6,000,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure: compacted earth
fill with impervious core |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
154 |
Length, feet |
1,050 |
Width at base,
feet |
1,080 |
Volume of earth
and rock fill, cubic yards |
1,772,00 |
Outlet Works:
concrete lined tunnel 19’ in diameter and 1,875’ in length. The
tunnel passes through the hill near the right abutment of the
dam. Discharge is regulated by the control tower containing three
7.5’ x 16’ vertical lift gates and two 24” gate valves. |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at normal
pool, miles |
6.3 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
2,770 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
480 |
Elevation, feet
above sea level: |
|
Maximum (reservoir full) |
1,170 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
1,089 |
Streambed at
dam |
1,043 |
Recreation
Winding its way through
the rugged hills of
northwestern
Pennsylvania,
Tionesta Lake offers a unique setting for a diversity of outdoor
recreational opportunities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites
you to visit the project and discover Tionesta's delightful lake and the
natural beauty of the surrounding forest.
For those looking for a
memorable outdoor experience, Tionesta offers a mix of beautiful scenery
and recreational activities that will not soon be forgotten. Outdoor
enthusiasts can enjoy
boating,
camping, hunting,
fishing,
hiking, water-skiing, picnicking, sightseeing and much more.
Fishermen have found
the variety of fishing waters in the area enticing and productive. The
clear mountain streams, placid lake and glistening Allegheny River have
yielded many fine catches of trout, muskie, walleye, bass and panfish.
The lake and its miles
of unspoiled shoreline offer unlimited opportunities for water-based
recreation. Watercraft of all types and sizes can be found on Tionesta
Lake, from powerboats of unlimited horsepower with water skiers in tow,
to sleek canoes and small fishing boats plying the inlets, coves and
backwater areas of the lake. Easy access to the water is provided by
boat
launches at
either end of the lake with ample trailer parking available.
Home to a remarkable
variety of wildlife, Tionesta has claim as one of Pennsylvania's best
big game regions. Hunters will find deer in abundance as well as bear,
turkey and small game. Part of the pleasure of hunting at Tionesta is
experiencing the quiet, rejuvenating forest.
Campers will find a welcome change of pace from everyday urban life at
one of Tionesta's many tree-shaded campsites. Camping facilities range
from rustic in nature, located at lakeside and accessible only by boat,
to sites equipped with hot showers and full hook-ups.
If out sightseeing for
the day, why not stop at Tionesta and enjoy a leisurely picnic with
family or friends or perhaps walk on one of the self-guided nature
trails? There are also several scenic overlooks that provide exciting
vistas of the lake and forested hillsides. An especially scenic time
for sightseeing at Tionesta Lake is in the autumn when the splendor of
the fall foliage is at its peak.
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.
Tionesta Recreation Area Campground
The
Tionesta Recreation Area Campground will open May 19 and close
October 13, 2008. Campsites have electric, water and sewer hook-ups and are $25 per night.
Reservations are available from May 19 through September 1, 2008, by
contacting the NRRS at the telephone number or web site above.
Visitors will be charged $3 per vehicle/per day starting this summer.
Outflow
Camping Area
The
Outflow Recreation Area Campground remains open year-round. The camping fee is $7 per night from April 11 until May
18,
2008. The camping fee is $10 per night from May 19 through the
night of October 12,
2008. Camping is free from October 13, 2008 until mid-April 2009.
Kellettville Camping Area
The
Kellettville Campground opened April 11, 2008. The camping fee is
$10 per night through the night of October 12, 2008. Camping is free from
October 13, 2008 until the campground closes in mid-December.
Primitive Lakeshore Camping
These
campsites are free and open year-round, weather permitting and only accessible by boat. More information
on the specific locations of these designated camping sites is available
from the Park Office.
Boat
Launching
Boat
launching is $3 per day from April 12 through October
13, 2008. An annual Day Use Pass may be purchased for $30 ($15 with a
valid Golden Age/Access Passport or America the Beautiful Senior/Access
Pass). This Annual Day Use 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 can be purchased at the Park Office using cash
or a personal check or money order payable to "FAO, USAED, Pittsburgh".
Pavilion Reservations
Reservations are being accepted for the Outflow Picnic Pavilion. The rental fee is $45 with electric and $35
without electric.
Pavilions can be reserved by calling or visiting the Park Office or by
mail using a
Tionesta
Lake Pavilion Reservation Request form.
Life
Jacket Loaner Program for Kids
The
Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has funded a Life Jacket Loaner
Program for kids at Tionesta Lake. 15 life jackets in three sizes for
children are available: infant, child and youth. The U.S. Coast Guard
requires recreational boats to have a wearable life jacket on board for
each passenger, but life jackets suitable for children are not always
available. In addition, at Tionesta 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 it at the end of the day. Please
call the Park Office to make arrangements.
Information Center
The
Information Center located on top of the Dam, is open on Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays during the summer months. The hours are 12:30
p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Group Tours & Programs
Control Tower tours and programming for school, Scout and other groups
may be arranged by calling (814) 755-3512, Monday through Friday, 8:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Topics include, but are not limited to, Tionesta
Lake history, flood damage reduction and recreational opportunities,
trees, wildflowers, wildlife, reptiles, amphibians, conservation,
environmental stewardship, hiking, trail maintenance, wildlife
management, water safety and pioneer crafts. Programs may occur on
site or at your school or club meeting place.
|
Dam Site |
Glasner
Run Camping Area |
Kellettville Campground |
Lackey
Flats Camping Area |
Nebraska
Access Area |
Outflow
Camping Area |
Tionesta
Boat Launch Area |
Tionesta
Park |
Tionesta
Recreation Area |
Campground |
- |
X |
X |
X |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Campground Hookups |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Camper
Dumping Station |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Drinking
Water |
X |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Information/Visitor Center |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Launching Ramp |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
X |
- |
- |
Picnic
Area |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
X |
- |
Picnic
Shelters |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
X |
- |
Playground |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
X |
X |
Restroom
Facilities |
X |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Accessible Restroom |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Showers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Trails |
X |
- |
- |
- |
- |
X |
- |
- |
X |
-
Tionesta Lake is the one place where
I can enjoy natural beauty in the present, while paddling up "Memory
Lane" ... (more)
|