Blue Marsh Lake

Blue Marsh Lake
A view on the hill above the State Hill boat ramp
Blue Marsh Lake
Blue Marsh Lake
LocationReading, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°22′48″N 76°01′53″W / 40.38000°N 76.03139°W / 40.38000; -76.03139
TypeLake
EtymologyBlue Marsh Village (formerly)
Primary inflowsNorthkill Creek
Primary outflowsTulpehocken Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Built1974 (1974)
Construction engineerU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
First flooded1979 (1979)
Max. length8 miles (13 km)
Surface area1,147 acres (464 ha)
Water volume16×1012 US gallons (6.1×1013 L; 1.3×1013 imp gal)
Surface elevation289 feet (88 m)
Islands1
WebsiteOfficial Website
Location

Blue Marsh Lake 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. It is in western Berks County, fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek. The main span of the lake is along the border between Bern and Lower Heidelberg Townships. However, the northwesternmost portions lie in the more sparsely populated North Heidelberg and Penn Townships. In the middle of the lake is a large, uninhabited island (claimed by Bern Township). The lake is a popular recreation area in the summer, where people can fish, swim, and boat. It has 36 miles (58 km) of trails and 1,147 acres (464 ha) of water. It is at an elevation of 289 feet (88 m). It was built and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District.