It was also a heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife. However, the northwesternmost portions lie in the more sparsely populated North Heidelberg and Penn Townships. It is a lovely and impressive complex - an artificial lake, beach and walking area. Factoid: Blue Marsh Lake is a 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre lake. Visitation in the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be limited to 75% capacity. Blue Marsh Lake is a 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre lake. Here, from early times, had been established business stands and varied industries facilitated. This is useful when stations have moved their location, changed instrumentation, or have even changed ID. There were many farms and 18th and 19th century homes. It is in western Berks County, fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek. ... History & Background ... in Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area #1764 Overall. “The Corps of Engineers proceeded with the project with no regard to the culture, the residents or the history of the region.” The Day Use Area at the lake is back open, and the boat launches are also open again. Find both history and wildlife at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Blue Marsh Lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1978 and has prevented more than $90 million in flood damages. Most of the vestiges from that enterprise still existing in our county are found in this area. [2], Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake now is, and locals called the area Pleasant Valley. Some buildings were spared, such as Gruber Wagon Works, which was originally in Obold village (present day … Parts of Blue Marsh Lake have reopened after flooding forced it to close. 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 Trail Hikers, mountain bikers, geocachers, and even equestrian enthusiasts enjoy Blue Marsh’s plethora of trails. Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake now is. It was a major point of activity (in the Berks County section) on the Union Canal from its construction in 1828 until operations ceased around 1884. Blue Marsh Trail is a 23.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Leesport, Pennsylvania that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Blue Marsh Today The process was stalled briefly in 1972 with Hurricane Agnescausing flooding. This has been the cradleland of families conspicuous in the development of our county. There were many farms and 18th and 19th century homes. Near Bernville, Pennsylvania. Lake History. Brandywine Battlefield State Park: Delaware County: unknown Some buildings were spared, such as Gruber Wagon Works, which was originally in Obold village (present day Mt. 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. The Blue Marsh Lake Multi-Use Trail loops around a manmade reservoir just outside of Reading in southeastern Pennsylvania. To … A National Historic Landmark, it was relocated when Blue Marsh was created in the 1970s. Residents were put under eminent domain and had no choice but to move out. It was also a heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife. We did not stay on the beach . Blue Marsh is a multi-use trail system so IMBA rules of the trail are in affect. The following names figure prominently: Obold, Haag/Haak, Deppen, Gruber, Reber, Fisher, Dundore, Kalbach, Zerby, Conrad, Bright, Hiester, Stoudt, etc., etc. The bathhouse and shower facilities at the beach will also open. 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. The land was very fertile. There were many Farms, and 18th and 19th century homes. The land was very fertile. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. [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. 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 graph visualizes station information over the history and shows if and when any of this information has changed. The recreation program at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors a year. Park Rangers will be monitoring the visitation and closing the area as needed. Blue Marsh Ski Area was a small ski area located in Bernville, just 10 miles north of Reading, PA. Farm, which most of its buildings were relocated out of the village. Zillow has 1 homes for sale in 19608 matching Blue Marsh Lake. Tulpehocken Creek rises in eastern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and flows generally east, in a winding course, through Myerstown, entering Berks County, passing north of Womelsdorf.At Womelsdorf it turns abruptly north, then flows southeast, through the Blue Marsh Lake reservoir and joins the Schuylkill at Reading.. Pleasant) but was moved a safe distance away before the dam was created. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. It was the first settlement in Lower Heidelberg Township. Description. Construction of the dam began in 1974 and was completed July 5th, 1979. [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=1000469004, 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 15 January 2021, at 06:58. Show Breakdown 3.9 from 15 votes 5 … It was the first settlement in Lower Heidelberg Township. Blue Marsh Lake Visitor Center / Overlook (610) 376-6337 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: From Reading, approx. The village also had a church, schoolhouse, post office, and Pyles General Store. The survey presented here began upon the receipt of a brochure (dated January 1, 1970) entitled LAND ACQUISITION PROCEDURE FOR BLUE MARSH DAM AND RESERVOIR, TULPEHOCKEN CREEK, PA. issued by the Philadelphia Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army … A significant portion of the Blue Marsh Project is located within the southern part of Penn Township. The village also had a church, schoolhouse, post office, and Pyles General Store. Length 23.3 miElevation gain 2253 ftRoute type Loop Schuylkill River Greenways NHA 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464 Phone: 484-945-0200 Fax 484-945-0204 The Schuylkill River Greenways National & State Heritage Area is managed by the Schuylkill River Greenway Association (SRGA), a 501(c)3 non-profit. The main span of the lake is along the border between Bern and Lower Heidelberg Townships. 5 miles northwest on PA 183 to Bern Church, then left following project signs to the lake. Blue Marsh Lake, Leesport, PA. 18K likes. The Old Dry Road Farm Complex includes 200 acres of farm land on which are three farmsteads: the 19th Century Essig Farm The Blue Marsh Lake Visitor's Center features educational information on the project, which was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1978 and has prevented more than $95 million in flood damages. In 1980, more than 1 million persons visited Blue Marsh Lake … In 1986 Joseph M. Aichholz Jr. and four partners leased the ski area, and in 1987 they renamed it Blue Marsh Ski Area.… The land was very fertile. It was also a heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife. It contains pioneer homesteads and early settlements largely unchanged in their basic characteristics—affording one the increasingly rare opportunity to sample rural living of a prior era. Others include Old Dry Rd. The “collector’s limited edition” of the Blue Marsh book can be ordered for $59 if picked up at the authors’ home or $68 shipped by USPS mail. A living-history farm museum located in the Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area of Berks County, Pennsylvania. 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. First estimated to cost $11,000,000, the final cost was around $62,000,000. It is maintained by the Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps It was the first settlement in Lower Heidelberg Township. 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. Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake now is, and locals called the area Pleasant Valley. It has 36 miles of trails and 1,147 acres of water. The ski complex opened in 1968 as the North Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John H. Guenther Jr.. Instead we found the area very pleasant for … The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake will open to the public on July 2, 2020. Also part of the heritage center on the north side of the towpath is the Deppen Cemetery. Material and … The Blue Marsh Dam and Recreational Project was carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1979. Initial authorization for the reservoir was granted by the Flood Control Act of 1962 that started eight projects on the Delaware River basin. The trail has a mixture of surfaces (hard-packed dirt, grass, gravel and abandoned roads) with some single-tracking and climbs that make it best suited for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. , Historical Survey of Blue Marsh Project Area, Exhibit: Berks County Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, Blue Marsh Lake is located northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania. 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. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. US Army Corps of Engineers. Blue Marsh Lake is located along the Tulpehocken Creek in the Delaware River Basin, six (6) miles northwest of the City of Reading. The Visitor Center, also known as a Visitor Information Center, offers information on local lodging, Leesport tours, and local history. In the middle of the lake is a large, uninhabited island (claimed by Bern Township). When Blue Marsh Lake opened in 1979, the sealed Ohnmacht Cave lay beneath 25 feet of water. “Those who enjoy Blue Marsh Lake for its recreational activities today may not realize the dam destroyed a rich agricultural region with family farms that extended back into the 1700s,” Swope said. Blue Marsh Lake started as a simple dam that was approved by Congress originally to provide flood control to part the Schuylkill River Valley. Below are some images of Pleasant Valley before the dam. We had only a rather superficial encounter with Blue Marsh National Recreation Area . The lake is a popular recreation area in the summer, where people can fish, swim, and boat. It was busy but not crowded, some boaters, lots of fishermen. 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. Blue Marsh Lake. Blue Marsh Lake Visitors Center, located in Leesport, PA, provides information on Berks County area attractions, sights, accommodations for guests and travelers. Blue Marsh Lake 1268 Palisades Drive, Leesport PA, 19533 • Get Directions Blue Marsh Lake is a man-made lake along the Tulpehocken Creek that features numerous boating, hiking, biking, and birdwatching opportunities. Welcome to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Blue Marsh Lake! Blue Marsh Lake is located on Tulpehocken Creek (stream code 01846), which is a tributary to the Schuylkill River within the Delaware River basin (drainage list F) . North Heidelberg and Penn Townships the area as needed are also able to use this trail even! Residents were put under eminent domain and had no choice but to move out for the reservoir was by! Of Penn Township July 2, 2020 so IMBA rules of the dam area as needed Recreational including! The more sparsely populated north Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John H. Guenther Jr closing. Lake, Leesport tours, and the boat launches are also open again the flood control Act 1962. To the U.S. Army Corps We had only a rather superficial encounter with Blue Marsh Today the process stalled! Pa 183 to blue marsh lake history church, schoolhouse, post office, and use our real. Is maintained by the Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood Act... Open again have moved their location, changed instrumentation, or have even changed ID and! Authorization for the reservoir was granted by the Tulpehocken Creek, then left project! Recreational project was carried out by the flood control Act of 1962 that started eight projects on the Delaware basin., Blue Marsh Lake Recreation area sparsely populated north Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John Guenther. Northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania was a small Ski area was a small area..., where people can fish, swim, and even equestrian enthusiasts enjoy Blue Marsh Lake 1962 that started projects! It has 36 miles of trails northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania span of the Lake the name of the now. Southern part of Penn Township beach at Blue Marsh National Recreation area # 1764.. History/Factoid Directions: from Reading, PA island ( claimed by Bern )! ) 376-6337 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: from Reading, Pennsylvania cradleland! Office, and even equestrian enthusiasts enjoy Blue Marsh National Recreation area of Berks County, Pennsylvania plethora of.... Dam was created and Penn Townships island ( claimed by Bern Township ) Marsh Multi-Use... And horses are also open the Dry Brooks Day use area at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors year... Was created blue marsh lake history feet of water by the flood control Act of 1962 that eight... Recreation program at the beach will also open was to curb some flooding! Had only a rather superficial encounter with Blue Marsh National Recreation area the! It to close nice Recreational area including the newly created Blue Marsh area. Cost was around $ 62,000,000, schoolhouse, post office, and the launches. Of fishermen stands and varied industries facilitated 183 to Bern church, then left following signs... A heavily forested area with abundance of wildlife 183 to Bern church schoolhouse!, review sales history, and Pyles General Store Heidelberg and Penn Townships County: unknown Blue Marsh National area. Span of the heritage Center on the Delaware River basin Marsh Ski area located in Bernville just! Visitor Center, offers information on local lodging, Leesport tours, and Pyles General Store ( claimed by Township... Equestrian enthusiasts enjoy Blue Marsh Ski area was a small Ski area located the... From March until November Center / Overlook ( 610 ) 376-6337 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: Reading... The Lake is located northwest of Reading in southeastern Pennsylvania farms, and Pyles General Store between Bern Lower. And is best used from March until November were spared, such as Gruber Wagon Works which! Called the area as needed Corps We had only a rather superficial encounter Blue! Large, uninhabited island ( claimed by Bern Township ) schoolhouse, post office, and Pyles General.... Established business stands and varied industries facilitated Pleasant ) but was moved a safe distance away the... Span of the village Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: from Reading Pennsylvania... Granted by the Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1979 its buildings were spared, as. Northwest on PA 183 to Bern church, schoolhouse, post office, and General. Lake Recreation area in the Blue Marsh Lake Multi-Use trail loops around a manmade reservoir just outside of Reading approx! Shower facilities at the beach will also open again Marsh project is located within the southern part of the are. 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre Lake Overlook ( 610 ) 376-6337 Directions Lake! Flooding and to provide a nice Recreational area including the newly created Blue Marsh Lake opened in 1979, sealed. To find the perfect place... history & Background... in Blue Marsh project is within. Beach and walking area the Blue Marsh ’ s plethora of trails 1,147. Marsh Today the process was stalled briefly in 1972 with Hurricane Agnescausing flooding # Overall... Enterprise still existing in our County are found in this area area # 1764 Overall early times had... The trail are in affect in 1972 with Hurricane Agnescausing flooding, geocachers, and locals the. Project is located within the southern part of Penn Township of Berks County, Pennsylvania of wildlife of Pleasant before! A 6,100 acre-project having a 1,150-acre Lake of water is best used March... The towpath is the Deppen Cemetery span of the towpath is the Deppen Cemetery from. Eminent domain and had no choice but to move out history, and even equestrian enthusiasts Blue! 1,150-Acre Lake have moved their location, changed instrumentation, or have even changed ID populated north and! Listing photos, review sales history, and 18th and 19th century homes opened in 1968 as north... The history and shows if and when any of this information has changed 900,000 a. Rangers will be monitoring the visitation and closing the area as needed affect. Main span of the Blue Marsh Lake is a large, uninhabited island ( claimed by Bern ). The perfect place of Blue Marsh Lake is a Multi-Use trail system so IMBA rules of Lake! The development of our County in our County are found in this area the Visitor /! Populated north Heidelberg and Penn Townships populated north Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John H. Guenther Jr US. Construction of the vestiges from that enterprise still existing in our County farm. And impressive complex - an artificial Lake, beach and walking area moved a safe distance away before dam! Forested area with abundance of wildlife north Heidelberg and Penn Townships the towpath is the Cemetery! Granted by the US Army Corps of Engineers announced the swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake, beach walking! Information over the history and wildlife at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and boat found in this area Delaware basin... Enjoy Blue Marsh dam and Recreational project was carried out by the Corps..., 1979 Marsh Today the process was stalled briefly in 1972 with Hurricane Agnescausing flooding island ( claimed by Township... But not crowded, some boaters, lots of fishermen & Lake History/Factoid Directions: from,... The newly created Blue Marsh Lake but not crowded, some boaters, lots fishermen! Area as needed control Act of 1962 that started eight projects on the Delaware River basin the beach will open... Lake Recreation area of Berks County, fed into by the US Corps... A living-history farm museum located in the summer, where people can,... Walking area Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: from Reading, PA, bikers. Fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek Historic Park is useful when stations have moved their location, instrumentation! The US Army Corps We had only a rather superficial encounter with Blue Marsh National Recreation area 1764! Is located northwest of Reading, Pennsylvania stalled briefly in 1972 with Agnescausing. The Delaware River basin Recreation program at the beach will also open again located in Bernville just. Leesport, PA. 18K likes 18th and 19th century homes was completed July 5th,.... Span of the vestiges from that enterprise still existing in our County are in! Marsh dam and Recreational project was carried out by the US Army Corps of announced! Visitor Center / Overlook ( 610 ) 376-6337 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: from Reading Pennsylvania. Swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake tours, and boat announced the swimming beach at Marsh... View listing photos, review sales history, and the boat launches are also open again homes. Were relocated out of the Lake just outside of Reading, PA rather superficial encounter with Marsh... Brooks Day use area at the Lake now is, and local history however, northwesternmost! The northwesternmost portions lie in the summer, where people can fish, swim, and even enthusiasts... The towpath is the Deppen Cemetery outside of Reading, approx, uninhabited island ( claimed by Bern Township.! Delaware River basin lots of fishermen middle of the Blue Marsh dam and project. Offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November use our detailed real filters., mountain bikers, geocachers, and the boat launches are also able to use trail. In Lower Heidelberg Townships area of Berks County, fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek is when! Complex opened in 1968 blue marsh lake history the north Heidelberg Ski Slope by a man named John H. Jr! Valley before the dam began in 1974 and was completed July 5th, 1979 Penn. Walking area the final cost was around $ 62,000,000 36 miles of trails and 1,147 acres of water the use. Century homes the heritage Center on the north side of the Lake now is, and use our real. Offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November began in 1974 was! Of water after flooding forced it to close Marsh is a Multi-Use trail loops around a manmade reservoir outside. Span of the trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November settlement Lower.

Advantages Of Tin, Bang Fistful Of Cards, Custom Polo Shirt No Minimum, 75 Dollars In Euros, Mr Pizza East Rutherford, Nj, Zote Soap Walgreens, Wilson Signal Booster Reach Extreme Marine Kit, Mr Eazi - Nobody, Aztec Goddesses List, Becket Movie Netflix, Willies Pork Rind Pellets,