Marsh Creek State Park
Encyclopedia
Marsh Creek State Park is a 1705 acres (690 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace Townships, Chester County
, Pennsylvania
in the United States. The park is the location of the 535 acres (216.5 ha) man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet (73 feet at its deepest), the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating waterfowl
. Marsh Creek State Park is 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Eagle
on Pennsylvania Route 100
.
The state of Pennsylvania acquired the land that became Marsh Creek State Park between 1964 and 1978. Residents in the area were relocated including those residing in the farming village of Milford Mills
. the site of which was eventually innundated. From 1970-1973 construction cleared the valley of trees, structures and other obstacles. Following completion of the dam, the lake filled over the course of three years.
Upon completion of the reservoir
, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the land surrounding Marsh Creek Lake, constructed recreational facilities, and opened the land to the public. New facilities built from 1971 to 1979 included administrative and picnic areas, a playground, pool, and wells. The park opened for boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, ice sports and sailing in 1974; and the pool and day-use area opened in July 1979.
, black crappie, walleye
, tiger muskellunge
, and channel catfish
all swimming in its waters. The lake is a designated "big bass" lake - only bass 15 inches (38.1 cm) and greater may be kept. Bass smaller than 15 inches (38.1 cm) must be released back into the lake.
Gasoline powered boats are prohibited at Marsh Creek Lake. Boaters are restricted to using non-powered or electric powered boats. All boats must be properly registered with any state. Boat rentals including canoes, sail boats and paddle boats
are available.
. The common game species are squirrel
s, pheasant
, waterfowl
, rabbits
and white-tailed deer
. The hunting of groundhog
s is prohibited.
that is open at Marsh Creek State Park from Memorial Day
weekend to Labor Day
weekend, from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm daily. A shallow wading pool is available, as well as a bathhouse, sunning area and snack bar. Swimming in the lake is not permitted
, ice boat
ing and ice skating
on Marsh Creek Lake are popular winter activities.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States. The park is the location of the 535 acres (216.5 ha) man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet (73 feet at its deepest), the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
. Marsh Creek State Park is 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Eagle
Eagle, Pennsylvania
Eagle is an unincorporated community in Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located at , the center of the village is the intersection of Pottstown Pike and Little Conestoga Road, where the historic Eagle Tavern is located...
on Pennsylvania Route 100
Pennsylvania Route 100
Pennsylvania Route 100 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that runs from U.S. Route 202 in West Chester, Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Route 309 in Pleasant Corners, Pennsylvania....
.
History
Formation of Marsh Creek Lake was designed to address several water related problems in the region. First, to provide additional drinking water for the Chester County Water Resources Authority, alleviating a previous shortage. Second, to limit potential damage caused by seasonal flooding in the area. Finally, to provide a recreation area for residents throughout the region.The state of Pennsylvania acquired the land that became Marsh Creek State Park between 1964 and 1978. Residents in the area were relocated including those residing in the farming village of Milford Mills
Milford Mills, Pennsylvania
Milford Mills was a village in the Marsh Creek Valley of Chester County, Pennsylvania that was inundated by the construction of the Marsh Creek Dam in 1972....
. the site of which was eventually innundated. From 1970-1973 construction cleared the valley of trees, structures and other obstacles. Following completion of the dam, the lake filled over the course of three years.
Upon completion of the reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania bought the land surrounding Marsh Creek Lake, constructed recreational facilities, and opened the land to the public. New facilities built from 1971 to 1979 included administrative and picnic areas, a playground, pool, and wells. The park opened for boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, ice sports and sailing in 1974; and the pool and day-use area opened in July 1979.
Fishing and boating
Marsh Creek Lake is open to fishing and recreational boating. It is a warm water fishery with largemouth bassLargemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, black crappie, walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
The tiger muskellunge is a carnivorous fish and is the usually sterile, hybrid offspring of the true muskellunge and the northern pike . It lives in freshwater and its range extends to Canada, the Northeast and the Midwest parts of the United States. It grows quickly; in one study tiger muskie...
, and channel catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8...
all swimming in its waters. The lake is a designated "big bass" lake - only bass 15 inches (38.1 cm) and greater may be kept. Bass smaller than 15 inches (38.1 cm) must be released back into the lake.
Gasoline powered boats are prohibited at Marsh Creek Lake. Boaters are restricted to using non-powered or electric powered boats. All boats must be properly registered with any state. Boat rentals including canoes, sail boats and paddle boats
Pedalo
A paddle boat or "pedalo" is a form of waterborne transport, primarily for recreational use, powered through the use of pedals....
are available.
Hunting
About 900 acres (364.2 ha) of Marsh Creek State Park are open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game CommissionPennsylvania Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States...
. The common game species are squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
The eastern gray squirrel is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus native to the eastern and midwestern United States, and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada...
s, pheasant
Common Pheasant
The Common Pheasant , is a bird in the pheasant family . It is native to Georgia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe , it is simply known as the "pheasant"...
, waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, rabbits
Eastern Cottontail
The eastern cottontail is a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. It is one of the most common rabbit species in North America.-Distribution:...
and white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
. The hunting of groundhog
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
s is prohibited.
Swimming
There is an "L" shaped swimming poolSwimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
that is open at Marsh Creek State Park from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend to Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend, from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm daily. A shallow wading pool is available, as well as a bathhouse, sunning area and snack bar. Swimming in the lake is not permitted
Trails
There are about 6 miles (9.7 km) of trails for equestrian use, hiking, and mountain biking open around the lake.Winter activities
Ice fishingIce fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
, ice boat
Ice boat
An ice boat is a boat or purpose-built framework similar in functional design to a sail boat but fitted with skis or runners and designed to run over ice instead of through water. Ice yachting is the sport of sailing and racing iceboats. Sailable ice is known in the sport as "hard water" versus...
ing and ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
on Marsh Creek Lake are popular winter activities.
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48.3 km) of Marsh Creek State Park:- Brandywine Creek State ParkBrandywine Creek State ParkBrandywine Creek State Park is a state park, located north of Wilmington, Delaware along the Brandywine Creek. Open year-round, it is in area and, before becoming a state park in 1965, was a dairy farm owned by the Du Pont family. It contains the first two nature preserves in Delaware. These...
(DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
) - Evansburg State ParkEvansburg State ParkEvansburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Lower Providence, Lower Salford, Skippack, Towamencin, and Worcester Townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park has a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, old fields, and farmland...
(Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, PennsylvaniaMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
) - Fort Washington State ParkFort Washington State ParkFort Washington State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is noted for the springtime flowering of dogwood trees, and is popular with families for picnics and hiking...
(Montgomery County) - Fox Point State ParkFox Point State ParkFox Point State Park is a Delaware state park on along the Delaware River in New Castle, Delaware in the United States. The park, which opened in 1995, has been built atop a former hazardous waste site that has been rehabilitated under an adaptive reuse program that was spearheaded by S. Marston...
(DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
) - French Creek State ParkFrench Creek State ParkFrench Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek. The park is the...
(BerksBerks County, Pennsylvania-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
and Chester Counties) - Nolde Forest Environmental Education CenterNolde Forest Environmental Education CenterNolde Forest Environmental Educational Center is a Pennsylvania state park in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Programs are offered for youth and adult groups, school groups, and individuals. The center grounds provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and...
(Berks County) - Norristown Farm ParkNorristown Farm ParkNorristown Farm Park is a Pennsylvania state park in East Norriton and West Norriton Townships and the Borough of Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is operated in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Parks. The park is a working farm on the site...
(Montgomery County) - Ridley Creek State ParkRidley Creek State ParkRidley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence Townships, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park, about north of the county seat of Media, offers many recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking....
(Delaware CountyDelaware County, PennsylvaniaDelaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
) - White Clay Creek PreserveWhite Clay Creek PreserveWhite Clay Creek Preserve is a Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was donated by the DuPont Company in 1984 for the purpose of "preserving the diverse and unique plant and animal...
(Chester County) - White Clay Creek State ParkWhite Clay Creek State ParkWhite Clay Creek State Park is a Delaware state park along White Clay Creek on in New Castle County, Delaware in the United States. The park, often known by its initials W.C.C.S.P., is near the Mason-Dixon Line. North of the park is Pennsylvania's White Clay Creek Preserve...
(Delaware)