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Crooked Creek Lake114 Park Main Road v Maps |
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Construction Notice:
Please click here to read PennDoT news release about work scheduled to begin the week of April 18, 2011, over Crooked Creek Lake. The area is upstream of the dam and will not impact the intense day use of the project. However, dispersed recreation interests will be impacted mainly for hiking, birding and fishing in the construction area.
Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Crooked Creek Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. An important link in a system of flood control projects, Crooked Creek provides flood protection for the lower Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The construction cost of over $4 million appears small when compared to the giant saving which have resulted. Since its completion in 1940, the project has prevented flood damages estimated to be in excess of $535 million.
Crooked creek also stores water and releases it downstream during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, navigation, recreations, esthetics and aquatic life.
Lake and Dam Statistics
Location: On Crooked Creek in Armstrong County, Pa., 6.7 miles above the junction of the creek with the Allegheny River near Ford City, Pa. |
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Purpose: Flood control, water quality, recreation and fish and wildlife conservation |
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Project area, acres |
2,664 |
Drainage area above dam, square miles |
277 |
Construction cost |
$4,000,000 |
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Dam |
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Type of structure: rolled earth fill with impervious core |
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Height above streambed, feet |
143 |
Length, feet |
1,480 |
Width at base, feet |
975 |
Volume of earth and rock fill, cubic yards |
1,350,500 |
Outlet Works: concrete lined tunnel 15’6” in diameter and 1,320’ long |
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Number of 6’ x 13’ vertical lift gates |
3 |
Number of 24” gate valves |
2 |
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Lake |
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Length at normal pool, miles |
5.25 |
Area, acres: |
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Maximum (reservoir full) |
1,940 |
Normal (summer pool) |
350 |
Elevation, feet above sea level: |
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Maximum (reservoir full) |
920 |
Normal (summer pool) |
845 |
Streambed at dam |
803 |
Maps
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| Crooked Creek Trail Map |
Recreation
Nestled among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, Crooked Creek Lake is an ideal setting for year round outdoor activities. Located only 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to discover the scenic beauty of the lake and surrounding countryside at the Crooked Creek project.
Visitors will also find they can pursue a variety of outdoor activities at the project with its numerous well maintained facilities available for their enjoyment. For those who enjoy the outdoors, a visit to Crooked Creek can be a rewarding experience.
The lake and its miles of scenic shoreline provide unlimited opportunities for water-based recreation. A boat launch with ample trailer parking is available for boating and waterskiing enthusiasts. Swimmers and sunbathers will especially appreciate the lake's sandy, peninsula beach.
The great variety and abundance of fish found in the lake have lured many fishermen to its waters. Crooked Creek Lake has yielded many fine catches of bass, muskie, sunfish and crappie.
Picnicking is well liked at Crooked Creek. There are several picnic areas maintained by the Corps that are provided with tables and charcoal grills. The six picnic shelters are provided with picnic tables and grills.
What’s Happening
- Aug. 24 the Armstrong Co. Area Agency on Aging uses the Spillway Recreation Area for their annual senior picnic.
- Sept. 17 September is the Armstrong County Habitat for Humanity Triathlon at Tunnelville Beach.
- Oct. 8 Armstrong Educational Trust has a 5K planned.
Pavilion Reservations
2012 pavilion reservation requests for Crooked Creek Lake will be accepted by mail only from February 1, 2012 through March 1, 2012. (Requests received prior to February 1, 2012 will be returned.) Over-the-counter (walk-in) reservation requests will be accepted at the Park Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., beginning March 2, 2012. Pavilion Reservation Request Form. To see photos of the Pavilion click here.
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 America the Beautiful Senior/Access Pass may purchase on Annual Day Use Pass at half price. Call the Park Office with questions or to make an appointment to purchase a Corps of Engineers Annual Day Use Pass.
Boat Launch
The public boat launch courtesy dock will not be installed this summer. Instead a soft landing area to the upstream side of the launch ramp will be improved. Boaters will be able to gently beach their vessels for loading and unloading purposes. Also planned is installation of markers delineating the single lane ramp edges. This should allow more days the public boat launch will be open even with the changing pool elevations.
Volunteers
Volunteer applications are now being accepted for a variety of opportunities to get involved at the park. Does spending some time meeting people in the park, handing out interpretive brochures and customer comment surveys sound interesting? Are you a Master Gardener and would like to improve the flower beds at the Visitor Center? How about a church group or scout troop that would like to help the staff with the Pennsylvania Adopt-A-Highway Program? Maybe you're a college student needing a place to earn credits on an internship. Call the Park Office at (724) 763-3161 and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator for more details and an application packet.
Environmental Learning Center
The Environmental Learning Center is under lease with the Armstrong Educational Trust. The Environmental Learning Center Coordinator can be reached at (724) 763-6316. To learn more about how you can enjoy this beautiful facility and surrounding grounds virtually visit at www.crookedcreekelc.org.
Crooked Creek Horse Park
The Crooked Creek Horse Park was developed in the area leased as Manor Township Recreation Area. It is maintained by The Fort Armstrong Horsemen's Association, Inc. They have many special events appealing to a variety of interests. To learn more about the recreational opportunities and how to contact them visit www.crookedcreekhorsepark-faha.com.
Facilities & Activities
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Office |
Outflow |
Spillway |
Main |
Camp- |
Tunnelville |
Boat |
Group |
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Amphitheater |
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Campground |
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X |
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X |
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Campground Showers |
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Campground Hookups |
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Camper Dumping Station |
X |
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Drinking Water |
X |
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X |
X |
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X |
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Information/Visitor Center |
X |
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X |
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Launching Ramp |
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X |
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Picnic Areas |
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X |
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Picnic Shelters |
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X |
X |
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X |
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Playground |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Restroom Facilities |
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X |
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X |
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Accessible Restroom |
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X |
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X |
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Swimming |
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X |
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Trails |
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X |
X |
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X |
X |
X |
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Accessible Fishing Pier |
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X |
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Links of Interest
v Rules & Regulations at Corps of Engineers Water Resources Development Projects
v Corps of Engineers Annual Day Use Pass Request
v Crooked Creek's Corps Lake Visitor's Gateway
v Crooked Creek Lake Fact Sheet
v Crooked Creek Lake Beach Rules
v Crooked Creek Lake Campground Rules
v BEACH, CAUTION DO NOT FEED WATERFOWL
v Birder Checklist
v Pennsylvania Game Commission
v Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission
v Order America the Beautiful Passes by Mail
v And for
the kids, the Freddie the Fish Coloring Book!
| Berlin | Conemaugh River Lake | ||
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Sightseeing |
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Updated: 09-Feb-2012