Shenango River Lake

Attractions - Shenango River Dam is a concrete gravity dam with an uncontrolled center spillway. The roadway crossing the top of the dam, over the spillway is nearly 68 feet above the stream bed. The dam has a top length of 720 feet with a base width of 66 feet. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and began full operation in February 1967. Shenango River Lake is part of the flood control system operated by the Corps of Engineers for the Beaver and Upper Ohio Rivers.

Recreation - Situated within the suburban Shenango Valley, Shenango River Lake provides an attractive setting for your enjoyment. Visitors may choose to spend their day picnicking, camping or enjoying nature's beauty at one of the many recreation or access areas located on the project.

Many fishing enthusiasts are attracted to the waters of Shenango River Lake for the bass, walleye, muskellunge and variety of panfish that inhabit the lake. In addition, thousands of anglers are drawn to the dam's outflow area to fish for trout which are stocked annually by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission during the spring. Boating is among the most popular and varied of recreational activities at Shenango River Lake and six boat launch ramps are provided. Areas are provided on the lake for unlimited horsepower operation and water skiing as well as areas designated for 10hp motors only and minimum wake operation.

For those visitors who prefer to canoe, both the Shenango River, upstream of the lake and Pymatuning Creek offer excellent canoeing opportunities, beautiful scenery and a chance to observe nature.

Campers visiting Shenango River Lake will enjoy the spacious and modern facilities available at the Shenango Recreation Area campground. Hot showers, flush toilets and a sanitary disposal station are provided, as well as 330 campsites, many of which are equipped with electric hookups.

The Seth Myers and Coonie Trails which are one-half mile, self-guided, interpretive nature trails, invite visitors not only to experience the beauty of Shenango River Lake but at the same time to learn about its varied habitats and the relationships between plants, animals and man.

Hunting and trapping are permitted on project lands with the exception of developed recreation areas, wildlife propagation areas and posted areas. All federal, state, and local laws governing these activities apply on project lands and waters.

Reservations for campsites at four Pittsburgh District lakes -- Youghiogheny River Lake, Berlin Lake, Tionesta Lake and Shenango River Lake -- can be made by contacting the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS), an interagency one-stop service enter for recreation reservations, toll-free at 1-877-444-6777, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 1 through Labor Day. Campsites at the remaining Pittsburgh District projects not in the NRRS program are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Shenango River Lake 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 - The dam is located on the Shenango River about 0.8 mile above Sharpsville, PA. It is about 33 miles above its confluence with the Mahoning River near New Castle, PA where it forms the Beaver River. The reservoir is located in Mercer County, PA and Trumbull County, OH.