Pennsylvania's Artificial Lake Paradise To Fish, Boat, And Spot Wildlife Is Getting A Big Revitalization

There are over 2,300 lakes around Pennsylvania, and the fact that only 76 of them are natural may surprise you. Take, for example, the large reservoir of Rose Valley Lake. This popular boating, fishing, and wildlife destination is undergoing a big rehabilitation project to make its dam safer. Let's take a closer look at this reservoir's geography before exploring its revitalization.

Lycoming County, the largest of Pennsylvania's 67 counties by area, is where you'll find well-known Williamsport, a city known for art, sports, and brews. Williamsport is also close to rural spots full of farms and orchards, like Gamble Township. Rose Valley Lake was created in Gamble Township when Mill Creek, a tributary of the longer Loyalsock Creek, was dammed in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. That earthen dam flooded existing swamps and wetlands, plus a few farms, to form a reservoir and recreation area: Rose Valley Lake. The reservoir is named after one of the area's early settlers — John Rose – and covers 389 acres. Aside from a couple of farms and houses, the lake's waterfront — bordered by hills and forests – remained largely untouched. However, a dam rehabilitation project is about to shake things up. 

This multi-year rehabilitation starts by gradually reducing the lake's water. Eventually, access to the reservoir, including its three concrete boat ramps along the northern, southern, and eastern shorelines, will be closed, with fish relocated. A new spillway will be built, and the dam embankment is set to receive an upgrade. Construction is scheduled to begin next summer, with a lake refill planned for 2029. Pennsylvania State Representative Joe Hamm confirmed the lake will stay open for boating and fishing as long as possible during water drawdowns.

Rose Valley Lake has made a name for itself among fishing enthusiasts. Hopefully, when the reservoir gets refilled, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission restocks its water with muskellunge, walleye fingerlings, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and yellow perch, which visitors have become accustomed to. After the lake's water levels return to normal, you can cast for fish from the shoreline near the boat launches, small lots, and pull-offs surrounding the lake. Alternatively, you can fish out on the water. Boats must be unpowered or have electric motors, with the latter limited to no-wake speed. An unpowered boat must be registered or display a current launch permit. Electric boats need registration. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are welcome, too.

The lake is a beloved spot for bird watching, so with time, its greater scaups and ring-necked ducks should return. Muskrats and snapping turtles are common along the reservoir's northern wetlands, and red fox sightings aren't unusual.

Though Williamsport Regional Airport is only 13 miles from Rose Valley Lake, it won't be of much help unless you're traveling from Charlotte, North Carolina. For other flight options, check out State College Regional Airport (SCE) or Wilkes/Barre-Scranton International Airport (AVP). The former is 75 miles away in Pennsylvania's famous college town, State College, while the latter is about 90 miles away in Avoca. SCE provides nonstop destination flights to and from Chicago, Philadelphia, Virginia near Washington D.C. (Dulles International IAD), and Charlotte. AVP takes you to and from IAD, Tampa, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Chicago. After visiting Rose Valley Lake, you should head to Upper Rock Run Falls, Pennsylvania's lovely waterfall for hiking and scenic views, located just 15 miles away in the nearby McIntyre Wild Area.