Canonsburg Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canonsburg Lake |
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People fishing on the shore of the lake
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 Canonsburg Lake
Location in Pennsylvania
Canonsburg Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington County, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°16′7″N 80°7′52.68″W / 40.26861°N 80.1313000°W |
| Lake type | artificial |
| Primary inflows | Little Chartiers Creek |
| Primary outflows | Chartiers Creek |
| Catchment area | 46 square miles (120 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Built | 1943 |
| Surface area | 76 acres (31 ha) |
| Max. depth | 18 feet (5.5 m) (approximate) |
| Surface elevation | 899 feet (274 m) |
| Settlements | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania |
Canonsburg Lake is a lake located in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. It's not a natural lake, but an artificial lake created by a dam. The lake was formed by the waters of Little Chartiers Creek.
The dam that holds back the water is 525 feet (160 m) long and 45 feet (14 m) high. It was built in 1943 by a company called Alcoa. They needed a supply of fresh water for their Canonsburg Forging Plant, which was very important during World War II.
In 1957, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) bought the land from Alcoa. This included the 76-acre lake and the surrounding areas. The PFBC then changed the lake from an industrial water source into a fun place for people to visit.
Boating Fun
Canonsburg Lake is a great spot for small boats. You'll often see canoes, inflatable boats, and lightweight fishing boats here.
There are rules about what kind of boats you can use. Only boats with an electric motor are allowed. Boats that use diesel fuel are not permitted.
You can launch your boat from a ramp on the eastern side of the lake. There's also a parking lot nearby for at least 10 vehicles. Remember, your boat needs to be registered or have a special permit from the Commission or PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources to be on the lake.
Fishing Adventures
If you love to fish, Canonsburg Lake is a popular place! You can fish from the shore following the rules for all inland waters in Pennsylvania. These rules cover things like when you can fish, how big the fish need to be, and how many you can catch each day.
The PFBC adds different kinds of fish to the lake regularly. Some of the fish they stock include channel catfish, muskellunge, tiger muskellunge fingerlings (baby fish), and trout.
A survey in 2000 found many types of fish in the lake. Some of the most common were Gizzard shad, White crappie, and Largemouth bass. The lake is known for having a lot of good-sized largemouth bass and channel catfish.
Here are some of the fish found in the lake:
- Gizzard shad
- White crappie
- Largemouth bass
- Brown bullhead
- Black crappie
- Common carp
- Bluegill
- White sucker
- Channel catfish
- Brown trout
- Golden shiner
- Pumpkinseed
- Rainbow trout
- Green sunfish
Lake Challenges
Like many older lakes, Canonsburg Lake faces some challenges that need attention. Two main issues are problems with the dam and too much silt in the lake.
Dam Repairs Needed
The dam at Canonsburg Lake needs some work. A study in 1996 found several issues. For example, the concrete on the dam's surface is showing some wear. Also, the spillway, which lets extra water out, isn't big enough. There's also no easy way to let water out from the bottom of the lake.
Fixing the dam would cost a lot of money, around $83 million. Right now, there isn't enough money set aside for these important repairs.
Silting Problems
Another big problem for Canonsburg Lake is silting. This happens when dirt, sand, and other materials wash into the lake and settle on the bottom. Over time, this makes the lake shallower.
Some parts of the lake are already too shallow for boats to get through. If nothing is done, the lake might become too shallow for boating at all. Cleaning out the silt, a process called dredging, would cost about $3 million.
Local residents who live near the lake have created a website to help raise money for these projects. You can visit Save Canonsburg Lake to learn more about how to help.
