Description - Crooked Creek Dam is a rolled earth fill dam with an impervious core. The embankment rises 143 feet above the stream bed, has a top length of 1,480 feet and a base width of approximately 1,080 feet. An uncontrolled saddle spillway is adjacent to the dam. The dam is located on Crooked Creek, 7 miles above its confluence with the Allegheny River. The dam's drainage basin lies within Armstrong and Indiana Counties. The purpose of Crooked Creek Lake is to provide flood control and recreation to the surrounding area. Visitors will find acres of water and miles of scenic shoreline available for recreation. A boat launch with ample trailer parking is offered. Swimmers and sunbathers will especially appreciate the lake's sandy beach. Anglers will enjoy catching warm water game fish including bass, muskie, sunfish and crappie.
Several picnic areas provide tables, charcoal grills and six picnic shelters.
Attractions
- Crooked Creek Dam is a rolled earth fill dam with an impervious core. The embankment rises 143 feet above the stream bed, has a top length of 1,480 feet and a base width of approximately 1,080 feet. An uncontrolled saddle spillway is adjacent to the dam. The dam is located on Crooked Creek, 7 miles above its confluence with the Allegheny River. The dam's drainage basin lies within Armstrong and Indiana Counties, PA. Crooked Creek Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1936 and has been in full operation since June, 1940. This reservoir project is part of the flood control system operated by the Corps of Engineers for the Allegheny and Upper Ohio Rivers. The pool elevation at Crooked Creek Lake is generally maintained between elevations 845.0-845.5, in order to provide adequate storage during periods of excessive runoff. However, periods of heavy rainfall and/or snowmelt will cause rapid and often significant rises. Crooked Creek Lake's congressionally authorized project purposes include flood control and recreation. Of these project purposes, only flood control has storage allocated for its operation. As a result, operations (gate changes) are made to maximize the flood storage capability of the project. The remainder of the project purposes are accommodated to the extent feasible.
Recreation - 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 water-skiing 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. 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. Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Crooked Creek area has cold winter months with temperatures averaging around 24 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to -2 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 Celsius). Location -
Located only 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh just east of SR 66.
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