• Dogs are allowed at Blue Marsh Lake. Pets must be on a leash at all times within developed recreation areas, i.e. the Dry Brooks Day Use Area, within and around parking areas.
  ​Dogs are not allowed in the swim beach area, or around the concession stand and bathhouse area below Parking Lot F.
  Dogs are not allowed to swim around boat launches and boat beach areas, but may swim in other areas of the lake.
   
• Dogs may be off leash while on the trail, only if they are under your control at all times by voice command. If your dog will not respond to your commands while off leash when encountering others, your dog should be on a leash at all times while on the trail. If your dog is not friendly towards other people or dogs, your dog should be on leash at all times while on the trail.
  Please remember to be courteous of other trail goers. Other people or their dogs may be afraid of your dog, or their dog may not be friendly towards others. Do not allow your dog to run up to others, as you never know what the situation may be ahead.
   
• Always clean up after your pet. Dog waste bags are provided throughout park areas for your convenience and to help keep the environment healthy.
  Please dispose of all pet waste in proper receptacles. No one likes to look at poop bags while trying to enjoy nature.
   
• Do not let your dog harass or chase wildlife.

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Blue Marsh Lake is open 365 days a year. The Dry Brooks Day Use Area (Swim Beach) and Visitor Center opens everyday at 8:00 AM and closes accordingly at dusk throughout the seasons.

There are no fees charged at Blue Marsh Lake.

Pavilion rentals are done online through Recreation.gov. Search Blue Marsh Lake, Dry Brooks Day Use Area to see pavilion availability and submit payments. Pavilions are not available for rental on Sundays or Holiday Weekends. Pavilion costs range from $90 (Vista Pavilion) to $100 (Hillside and Lakeview Pavilions). Please read the Pavilion Use Rules.

Alcohol possession and consumption is strictly prohibited anywhere on park property.

Grills are available on a first come first serve basis and are limited at the park. They require you to bring your own charcoal and fuel for use. You may bring your own grill to the park to use but must be elevated off the ground or tabletop so that it does not cause damage. Personal grills are not allowed in the towel/swim beach area.

Blue Marsh Lake does not offer any type boat or equipment rentals. There are local businesses in the area that provide kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals and can be contacted for more information.

Blue Marsh Lake does not allow inflatable tubes unless they are used to tow behind a vessel for water recreation purposes. Floatables not allowed for use at the lake include but are not limited to tubes, arm swimmies/wings, pool rafts, noodles, boogie boards, etc. It is always recommended to wear a Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket when participating in any water recreation. #PleaseWearIt

There is no camping allowed on land or water anywhere on park property.

DAILY DAM DATA POST EXAMPLE:

Lake Elevation = Lake level based on elevation above sea level. Normal summer lake elevation is 290 ft, Normal winter lake elevation is 285 ft.

CFS = Cubic Feet per Second. The volume or the amount and rate of water that is flowing.

Inflow = Volume of water entering the reservoir.

Outflow = Volume of water being released from the dam at the Stilling Basin. If "==>" is present, the first number represents the current outflow, and the second number represents are target outflow for a scheduled gate change.

Stream Temperature = Water temperature being released from the dam, which can be different than the lake's surface water temperature, such as during the summertime.

Measured Precipitation = Amount of water vapor condensation that falls to the earth's surface measured on site, such as rainfall or snow.

QPF = Quantitative Precipitation Forecast is the total amount of expected precipitation. We present a 24 hour and a 3 day forecast.

Gate Change = Indicates if we will be adjusting the dam outflow and what the target outflow for that gate change will be.

Tulpehocken Creek Readings = Amount and rate of water that is flowing at specific gauge stations along the Tulpehocken Creek in downstream areas.

Operations to bring the water level back up to the summer recreation pool elevation, 290 ft, commences on or about April 1st with a target completion date of April 15th.
These target dates may change due to inflow or operational needs.
Courtesy boat docks are reinstalled sometime during the reservoir filling process.

The winter drawdown from the summer recreation pool elevation, 290 ft,  to the winter pool elevation, 285 ft, commences on or about October 15 with a target completion date of November 1st.
These target dates may change due to inflow or operational needs.
Courtesy boat docks will be removed for the winter season sometime during the drawdown process.

The lake remains open year-round for boating after the docks are removed.