THE SOUTH FORK DAM

The dam was built during the period of 1838 to 1853 by the State of Pennsylvania to supply water for the Canal Basin in Johnstown. This was an important part of the Pennsylvania Canal System which provided transportation from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Located about ten miles above Johnstown it was reported to be the largest artificial lake on the continent—the breast was more than 70 feet high and about 850 feet wide. At normal depth it covered more than 400 acres and was estimated to hold five hundred million cubic feet of water.

In 1857 the Pennsylvania Railroad purchased the Pennsylvania Canal System and Allegheny Portage Railroad from the State of Pennsylvania. Having no use for it, it was abandoned and the gates and machinery rusted away from standing idle. The dam broke in 1862 but it caused little damage since the water level in the dam was low. 

On May 19, 1879 the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club was organized by a group of wealthy business men from Pittsburgh and they purchased the Dam for their own private use. They spent two years in repairing the dam — increasing the height of the breast so the dam would hold more water. Now it was three miles long and almost one mile wide. It was commonly called Lake Conemaugh. The picture above and at the left show the breast of the dam as it existed in 1889. 

A large Club House was erected for the members but many desired the privacy of their own quarters and built what were known as Queen Anne cottages. In the picture below can be seen some of these cottages, several boat houses and a section of the lake. Some of these cottages are still standing in St. Michael.

Two steam yachts sailed the lake and provided excursions for the members and their guest s. The most popular sport was fishing. The lake was well stocked and it was reported that the sluice gate and spillway were covered with wire to keep the fish from escaping!