Quemahoning Reservoir
Encyclopedia
The Quemahoning Reservoir, more accurately known as Beautiful Lake Quemahoning (BLQ), is created by the Quemahoning Dam, located on Quemahoning Creek on the border of Quemahoning Township, Pennsylvania
and Conemaugh Township, Pennsylvania
in Somerset County
just south of Hollsopple. The dam was constructed by the Manufacturers Water Company to supply water for the Cambria Iron Company
's works in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
. Construction was begun in 1910 and completed in 1913. The reservoir created by this dam is about five miles long and two miles wide at its widest place, and drains into the Stonycreek River and thence into the Kiski-Conemaugh system.
It is one of the largest artificial bodies of water in Pennsylvania, and is known as a stopover for migratory waterfowl, including geese, swans, and herons. It was sold by Bethlehem Steel Corporation (successor to Cambria Iron) to the Cambria Somerset Authority
in 2000, which now operates it both for recreation and industrial water supply.
Additionally, Somerset Borough, Pennsylvania
has commenced construction of a pipeline from the reservoir to the borough to provide potable water. The original 66 inch pipeline constructed by Manufacturers Water Company from the reservoir to Johnstown was upgraded and refurbished after the sale to the Cambria Somerset Authority.
Bethlehem Steel Corporation ran a gun club, a farm house and Bethco Pines, a recreational park for its staff. The park included boating, swimming and facilities which employed a number of people. The dissolution of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in the 1990's caused the recreation areas and reservoir to be put up for sale, and was included in the sale to a coalition of local governments.
Summer's Best Two Weeks (SB2W) operates portions of the former Bethco Pines recreational park located on a section of the Reservoir. The Camp is affiliated with SB2W on Lake Gloria which is approximately 5 miles away from the one on the Quemahoning Reservoir. Summer's Best Two Weeks is a Christian Sports camp that hosts hundreds of campers during the summer.
, as well as in the 10 June 1779 deed of Joseph Johns, after whom Johnstown was named.
Quemahoning Township, Pennsylvania
Quemahoning Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Conemaugh Township, Pennsylvania
Conemaugh Township, Pennsylvania
Conemaugh Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Conemaugh Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania*Conemaugh Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania*Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania...
in Somerset County
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,...
just south of Hollsopple. The dam was constructed by the Manufacturers Water Company to supply water for the Cambria Iron Company
Cambria Iron Company
Cambria Iron Company is a National Historic Landmark located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1852 and made many important contributions to the iron and steel industry...
's works in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
. Construction was begun in 1910 and completed in 1913. The reservoir created by this dam is about five miles long and two miles wide at its widest place, and drains into the Stonycreek River and thence into the Kiski-Conemaugh system.
It is one of the largest artificial bodies of water in Pennsylvania, and is known as a stopover for migratory waterfowl, including geese, swans, and herons. It was sold by Bethlehem Steel Corporation (successor to Cambria Iron) to the Cambria Somerset Authority
Cambria Somerset Authority
The Cambria Somerset Authority was formed in 1999, in anticipation of acquiring water interests and related land properties of Manufacturers Water Company, a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Transfer of ownership occurred in August, 2000...
in 2000, which now operates it both for recreation and industrial water supply.
Additionally, Somerset Borough, Pennsylvania
Somerset, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,762 people, 3,035 households, and 1,717 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,466.0 people per square mile . There were 3,313 housing units at an average density of 1,208.2 per square mile...
has commenced construction of a pipeline from the reservoir to the borough to provide potable water. The original 66 inch pipeline constructed by Manufacturers Water Company from the reservoir to Johnstown was upgraded and refurbished after the sale to the Cambria Somerset Authority.
Recreational use
Fishing, boating, camping and occasional whitewater rafting are among the recreational activities available. Upgraded release valves in 2010 substantially increased discharges from the reservoir to improve whitewater rafting on the Stonycreek River.Bethlehem Steel Corporation ran a gun club, a farm house and Bethco Pines, a recreational park for its staff. The park included boating, swimming and facilities which employed a number of people. The dissolution of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in the 1990's caused the recreation areas and reservoir to be put up for sale, and was included in the sale to a coalition of local governments.
Summer's Best Two Weeks (SB2W) operates portions of the former Bethco Pines recreational park located on a section of the Reservoir. The Camp is affiliated with SB2W on Lake Gloria which is approximately 5 miles away from the one on the Quemahoning Reservoir. Summer's Best Two Weeks is a Christian Sports camp that hosts hundreds of campers during the summer.
Kickenapauling's Town
The reservoir is said to cover the American Indian village of Kickenapauling's Town, which was referred to in records of Christopher GistChristopher Gist
Christopher Gist was an accomplished American explorer, surveyor and frontiersman. He was one of the first white explorers of the Ohio Country . He is credited with providing the first detailed description of the Ohio Country to Great Britain and her colonists...
, as well as in the 10 June 1779 deed of Joseph Johns, after whom Johnstown was named.