Tionesta Lake turns 75

Tionesta Lake turns 75         

Tionesta Lake staff is hosting an Open House celebrating 75 years of service, Jan. 9. Visitors are invited to tour the updated Visitor Center, look at displays, listen to audio visual programs, browse through historic and cultural photos, and exhibits.

Included in the celebration are outside walking tours, virtual control tower tour, a dam construction show, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presentation. A time capsule sealed in 1991, will be opened and inventoried, afterward, park staff will add present day items, and reseal the capsule. The capsule will then remain sealed for another 25 years. Tionesta Lake became operational in December 1940. It is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District, and was officially dedicated Jan. 9, 1941 as a safety measure authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938.

The dam is located approximately one mile from the Allegheny River on the Tionesta Creek, and provides a link in the flood control system for the Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers. The project’s flood control capabilities were dramatically demonstrated during the historic 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes. As a result of the 1972 hurricane, $62 million in damages were prevented by Tionesta alone. Throughout its life, the Tionesta Dam has prevented more than $570 million in flood damages.

For additional questions please call the project office at (814) 755-3512.

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