US Army Corps of Engineers
Philadelphia District & Marine Design Center Website

The swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake opened to the public on July 2, 2020. The bathhouse and shower facilities at the beach also opened. Visitation in the Dry Brooks Day Use Area will be limited to 75% capacity. Park Rangers will be monitoring the visitation and closing the area as needed.  The public is reminded to follow social distancing practices while at the lake.

Blue Marsh Lake

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. The recreation program at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors a year.
Blue Marsh Lake Control Tower
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. The recreation program at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors a year.
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 $90 million in flood damages. The recreation program at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors a year.
A Blue Marsh Lake Ranger takes a selfie photo with another Ranger while kayaking.
Four Park Rangers pose at an exhibit table with water safety materials during an event.
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. The recreation program at the project attracts almost 900,000 visitors a year.
Blue Marsh Lake Trails
A Park Ranger riding on a boat collects a water sample for testing and monitoring purposes.
Blue-Green Algae Warning
Sojourn

Blue Marsh Lake Overview

Blue Marsh Lake is located northwest of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania. This is a multi-purpose project built and maintained by the Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dam was authorized by Congress for flood control, water supply, water quality and recreation. Construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1979. The dam is located on the Tulpehocken Creek and the project's water control practices benefit downstream communities. The  project provides flood risk management benefits primarily for Reading, Birdsboro and Pottstown areas. Water supply and water quality management practices benefit areas further downstream, including Philadelphia. 

While the main purpose of Blue Marsh was to provide flood control to part of the Schuylkill River Valley, over the years the lake has become a recreational hotspot. With over 36 miles of trails, 6200 acres of land, 1148 acres of water, picnic areas, a small beach and boat launches the lake can accommodate all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. The dam is an earthfill dam that that is 1,775 feet long, 98 feet high and can hold upwards of 16.28 billion gallons of water. During the summer months, the water level is maintained at 290 feet above sea level. In the winter the lake is drawn down five feet to provide for additional flood water storage.

The grasp of Blue Marsh does not stop there. Over the years, the park staff has increased outreach efforts and organizes volunteers for events that happen all year round. Three of the larger programs include Take Pride in Blue Marsh (April), Get Outdoors Day (June), and National Public Lands Day (September). Tours and programs for school and civic groups emphasize the Corps missions, water safety and outdoor recreation. Contact Blue Marsh Lake to find out more about these and other programs we offer.

Through a partnership established with Penn State University, Blue Marsh Lake will be acting as a host facility for a study on biological control methods of the Spotted Lanternfly throughout the summer months.

Facilities & Activities

Blue Marsh Lake’s facilities offer something for everyone. The developed recreation areas are open at 8 a.m. every day and close around dusk accordingly during each season. The Visitor Center overlooks the tower and dam offering a spectacular view of the lake. It is a great place to start your visit. You will find information about the lake, other Corps projects, and learn more about dam operations.

The Dry Brooks Day Use Area attracts a large percentage of visitors to the project. Located within this site is a swim beach, but be alert as there are no life guards on duty and it is swim at your own risk. There are numerous first-come, first-serve picnic tables and grills that surround the swim beach. In addition to a concession stand and public restrooms, you can reserve one of our three pavilions by contacting the project office.

Blue Marsh Lake has three boat launches: Dry Brooks and State Hill Boat Launches (operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and Sheidy Boat Launch (operated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission). Please take note that any boat launched at Sheidy requires the proper state permits.

The Stilling Basin is where the water is released from the dam and has become a popular fishing location with a universally accessible fishing platform. The downstream tail waters are considered one of the best trout fisheries in southeastern Pennsylvania, and are managed as a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure area. There are three fee areas at Blue Marsh Lake.They are the Dry Brooks Day Use Area, Dry Brooks Boat Launch, and State Hill Boat Launch. 

There are trails for every type of activity at Blue Marsh. The multi-use loop trail encircles the lake and is recognized as a National Recreation Trail. You can hike, bike or ride a horse. Skinners Loop and Foxtrot Hiking Trail are connected to the multi-use trail, and will bring you closer to the water's edge. The Squirrel Run Nature Trail is near the State Hill Boat Ramp. There also is a universally accessible Eyes of the Eagle Sensory Trail and the Great Oak Nature Trail located within the Day Use Area. The Union Canal Connector Trail provides visitors with a path to the Schuylkill River Trail and the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department trail system (horses are prohibited on this trail). The Tulpehocken Creek Valley Geo Trail, which opened September 29, 2012, developed in partnership with the Berks County Parks Department. It is a geocaching interpretive trail consisting of 20-caches along the scenic Tulpehocken Creek and around Blue Marsh Lake. Users will travel through Berks County Parks and Heritage Sites and visit points of interest around Blue Marsh.

Due to concerns on the spread of the Coronavirus and based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all scheduled events and programs at Blue Marsh Lake are cancelled. 

Blue Marsh Lake Events

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Contact

Blue Marsh Lake
1268 Palisades Drive
Leesport, PA 19533-9750
610-376-6337
Email
Blue Marsh Lake Directions

Latest News

Blue Marsh Lake Swimming Beach to Open; Restrictions in Place for Holiday Weekend
7/1/2020
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the swimming beach at Blue Marsh Lake will open to the public on July 2, 2020. The bathhouse and shower facilities at the beach will also open. Visitation in...
Blue Marsh Lake Stilling Basin Closure Announcement
6/23/2020
Beginning on June 29, 2020, portions of the Blue Marsh Lake Stilling Basin and Multi-Use Trail will be closed to the public. This closure is related to the ongoing Western Berks Water Authority...
Army Corps observes National Dam Safety Awareness Day
5/28/2020
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District recognizes National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31, which commemorates the 1889 failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pa. The event...

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Locations for GPS Purposes

Dry Brooks Day Use Area: 1364 Palisades Drive, Leesport, Pa 19533
Dry Brooks Boat Launch: 1332 Palisades Drive, Leesport, PA 19533
State Hill Boat Launch: 599 Brownsville Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608

Pavilion Rentals Note

If you would like to reserve a pavilion, please log on to Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.