There were many farms and 18th and 19th century homes. Welcome to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Blue Marsh Lake… The United States Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the lake in March 1974 with the impoundment of the Tulpehocken Creek and was completed in September 1979. Material and … . Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Corps of Engineers. Swope’s family owned and operated a premier dairy farm of almost 200 acres that was originally part of the Hiester family land. Some buildings were spared, such as Gruber Wagon Works, which was originally in Obold village (present day Mt. This is the intersection of State Hill and Water roads at the Blue Marsh Bridge, northwest of State Hill, and under the Tulpehocken Creek on Froday – Eagle Photo. However, the northwesternmost portions lie in the more sparsely populated North Heidelberg and Penn Townships. In this video We visit a small location by Blue Marsh Lake, outside of Reading, PA. The graph visualizes station information over the history and shows if and when any of this information has changed. . 610-376-6337 | 610-376-1919. We learned our lesson about putting in from Lake Road because of the steep, 1/3 mile portage for the kayaks. In 1980, more than 1 million persons visited Blue Marsh Lake to … In 1986 Joseph M. Aichholz Jr. and four partners leased the ski area, and in 1987 they renamed it Blue Marsh Ski Area.… First estimated to cost $11,000,000, the final cost was around $62,000,000. . The facility was operating at 75% … Recreation areas are open at 8 a.m. every day close accordingly during each season. a total of 5,663 acres will be acquired. Philadelphia District. reservoir will have a total capacity of about 16 billion … It was busy but not crowded, some boaters, lots of fishermen. It was also a heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife. The land was very fertile. Lake History. [2], Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake now is, and locals called the area Pleasant Valley. Pleasant Valley was dotted with a number of bungalows, used on weekends in the summer by those looking to escape from urban life. Below is a visual presentation of the history of this station. Blue Marsh Lake, Pennsylvania, USA - Current weather, an hourly forecast for today, tomorrow, detailed 10-day weather forecast and long range monthly outlook. Blue Marsh Lake started as a simple dam that was approved by Congress originally to provide flood control to part the Schuylkill River Valley. Blue Marsh Lake (Dry Brooks Day Use Area) Blue Marsh Lake. . Blue Marsh Lake which now consists of over 36 miles of trails, 5,000 acres of land and 1,147 acres of water, is used for flood control, water quality, water supply and last but definitely not the least, recreation. Blue Marsh, which opened July 5, 1979, was created to prevent a repeat of the massive flooding that came with Tropical Storm Agnes seven years earlier. Others include Old Dry Rd. 183 west of Reading. Blue Marsh Lake is a 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre lake. It has 36 miles of trails and 1,147 acres of water. Hotels near Blue Marsh Lake, Leesport on Tripadvisor: Find 8,184 traveler reviews, 69 candid photos, and prices for 554 hotels near Blue Marsh Lake in Leesport, PA. Country: Pennsylvania, USA, City: Blue Marsh Lake. is one of eight major projects in the Delaware River Basin. Light Refreshments served at 9:30AM. The Day Use Area at the lake is back open, and the boat launches are also open again. Today we decided to revisit the area, just focusing on the paddling, scenery and wildlife. The ski complex opened in 1968 as the North Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John H. Guenther Jr.. The land was very fertile. Pleasant) but was moved a safe distance away before the dam was created. The intent was to curb some area flooding and to provide a nice recreational area including the newly created Blue Marsh Lake. Blue Marsh Lake is located northwest of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/blue-marsh-trail Residents were put under eminent domain and had no choice but to move out. This dam, which now is an earthfill dam that that is 1,775 feet long, 98 feet high and can hold upwards of 16.28 billion gallons of water, extends throughout Reading, Birdsboro, Pottstown, Conshohocken and even some parts of Philadelphia. It was the first settlement in Lower Heidelberg Township. Zillow has 1 homes for sale in 19608 matching Blue Marsh Lake. Blue Marsh Lake 1268 Palisades Drive, Leesport PA, 19533. Blue Marsh Lake is located along the Tulpehocken Creek in the Delaware River Basin, six (6) miles northwest of the City of Reading. Blue Marsh Lake Visitor Center / Overlook (610) 376-6337 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: From Reading, approx. BERN TWP., Pa - The day use beach area is open at Blue Marsh Lake for the first time this season, as many took to the sand and water Thursday. Blue Marsh Lake has become an outdoor recreation hot spot, offering 36 miles of trails with 1,147 acres of water for boating and fishing, and 5000 acres of land containing hiking trails, picnic areas, and a beach and boat launches. Parts of Blue Marsh Lake have reopened after flooding forced it to close. Blue Marsh National Recreation Area is an artificial lake located northwest of the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, USA and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District. The village also had a church, schoolhouse, post office, and Pyles General Store. . The staff at Blue Marsh Lake would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Alvernia University Freshman Search Class who participated in clean up activities around our shoreline areas. Official Website. To … Blue Marsh Lake Contributor Names United States. Near Bernville, Pennsylvania. Initial authorization for the reservoir was granted by the Flood Control Act of 1962 that started eight projects on the Delaware River basin. This dam, which now is an earthfill dam that that is 1,775 feet long, 98 feet high and can hold upwards of 16.28 billion gallons of water, extends throughout Reading, Birdsboro, Pottstown, Conshohocken and even some parts of Philadelphia. 5 miles northwest on PA 183 to Bern Church, then left following project signs to the lake. . Blue Marsh Lake was built for just such a purpose. We did not stay on the beach . Covered Bridge before Blue Marsh Lake Overview A brief introduction to Blue Marsh Lake. Blue Marsh Lake started as a simple dam that was approved by Congress originally to provide flood control to part the Schuylkill River Valley. When Blue Marsh Lake opened in 1979, the sealed Ohnmacht Cave lay beneath 25 feet of water. dam will be an earth-filled rock-covered structure rising approx. This last week, we fished a stretch of Blue Marsh Lake between Lake Road and Spring Creek. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, Blue Marsh Lake is located northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania. Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake now is, and locals called the area Pleasant Valley. Created / Published Leesport, PA : Blue Marsh Lake Project, U.S. … 71,640 were here. There were many farms and 18th and 19th century homes. The lake is a popular recreation area in the summer, where people can fish, swim, and boat. . Take one last look at Blue Marsh Village & Pleasant Valley prior to the construction of the Blue Marsh Dam with a photographic history and book-signing by author, Paul Miller. This is a multi-purpose project built and maintained by the Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Mahsa Kazempour BiSC3 Environmental Science, Penn State Berks BI SCI 3 Environmental Awareness & Community Action Projects, Environmental Awareness & Community Action Project, The Blue Panthers go “Hiking with Cabela’s” April 4th- Pt.2, My first meeting with the schools librarian, PSU Berks Center for Agricultural Sciences and Sustainable Environment. Blue Marsh State Park: Berks County: 1978: Blue Marsh Lake and Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 280: Park was completed, but without funds to operate it, so was given to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, now also partly a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site. Climate information with charts. The National Recreation Trail at Blue Marsh is a loop trail that encircles the lake, while Skinners Loop and Foxtrot Hiking Trail bring you closer to the water’s edge. . Army. It was the first settlement in Lower Heidelberg Township. . Operating Hours. Located at Blue Marsh Lake northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania, three group picnic shelters are available for reservations within the Dry Brooks Day Use Area. It is a lovely and impressive complex - an artificial lake, beach and walking area. project was authorized by Flood Control Act of 1962. . . Some buildings were spared, such as Gruber Wagon Works, which was originally in Obold village (present day … Historic Structures Report. 100 feet above Tulpehocken Creek located 1.5 miles above mouth of Plum Creek. The Blue Marsh Dam and Recreational Project was carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1979. Factoid: Blue Marsh Lake is a 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre lake. In June 2006 the Lake had experi- enced record-high water levels, which led to record releases. Blue Marsh Lake, located northwest of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania,  was constructed by the Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 17th Annual Lake MacBride Antique and Classic Outboard Show » Food-on-site, Modern Flush Toilets, Trees for Shade, Picnic Tables, Grills, Modern Boat Launch. Blue Marsh Ski Area was a small ski area located in Bernville, just 10 miles north of Reading, PA. It was also a heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife. Brandywine Battlefield State Park: Delaware County: unknown In the middle of the lake is a large, uninhabited island (claimed by Bern Township). Farm, which most of its buildings were relocated out of the village. Blue Marsh park ranger Jonah Eckert inspects a few of the new stake trees structures prior to them being placed in the lake last September. Meet includes parade of boats, motor display, best Small (1-3 hp) and Medium (5-10hp) motor restoration in a category gets trophy. In fact, the Blue Marsh Lake park staff is increasing their outreaching efforts and are continuing to organize events that will happen year around in order to encourage visitors to continue to cherish the natural habitat around them. Its construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1979. Facilities include a day use area with swim beach, bathhouse, food concession, picnic areas, volleyball courts, pavilions available for rental; visitor center; three boat launches; and a stilling basin. No Tickets Required. Blue Marsh Lake Trail Hikers, mountain bikers, geocachers, and even equestrian enthusiasts enjoy Blue Marsh’s plethora of trails. It is in western Berks County, fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek. Visual History. This is useful when stations have moved their location, changed instrumentation, or have even changed ID. Instead we found the area very pleasant for … Pleasant Valley Lost is set beginning in 1968 and focuses on the years in the Blue Marsh region before and during the acquisition and condemnation activities of the Corps of Engineers. . Canal Street Pub to Blue Marsh Lake via Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) & Union Canal Trail 10.4 mi 16.7 km • 282' Up 85.88 m Up • 228' Down 69.42 m Down Reading, PA Directions: Blue Marsh is located off of Rt. by Defense Technical Information Center. We had only a rather superficial encounter with Blue Marsh National Recreation Area . *Located about six miles northwest of Reading . [3] The Pennsylvania Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act provided funding and permitted the eminent domain acquisition of the land that would later become the lake with the governor's permission in 1969. [4][5][6], A view on the hill above the State Hill boat ramp, Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act, "Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area | Visit PA Americana", "Historical Survey of Blue Marsh Project Area", "Water Quality Standards Review: Blue Marsh Lake", Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Hoverter and Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area, Carbon County Environmental Education Center, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Harrison Hills Park Environmental Education Center, Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Marsh_National_Recreation_Area&oldid=991366487, Protected areas of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Bodies of water of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Berks County, Pennsylvania geography stubs, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 November 2020, at 17:56. 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