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Loyalhanna Dam's 75th anniversary to be highlighted by tours, activities

Paul Peirce
LoyalhannaDam1
Submitted
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Saturday, June 24, 2017, will mark the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Loyalhanna Dam, a major Western Pennsylvania flood control project along the border of Indiana and Westmoreland counties. The photo from the 1940s show the dam under construction.
LoyalhannaDam2
Submitted
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Saturday, June 24, 2017, will mark the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Loyalhanna Dam, a major Western Pennsylvania flood control project along the border of Indiana and Westmoreland counties. The photo from the 1940s show the dam under construction.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will offer visitors a trip back to the 1940s at Loyalhanna Dam when it celebrates the 75th anniversary of the completion of a major Western Pennsylvania flood control project along the border of Westmoreland and Indiana counties.

Events are planned Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Loyalhanna Lake near Saltsburg to commemorate the anniversary including tours of the dam that was completed in June 1942, said Jeff Hawk, a corps spokesman with the Pittsburgh District.

The Army Corps will use 1940 as a backdrop with an antique car show, music, informational booths that include construction and historical displays and children's activities, Hawk said.

The real story, however, is the dam's part in flood protection for the lower Loyalhanna Creek and Kiskiminetas River valleys as well as the lower Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers, Corps park ranger April Richards said.

“It's really unfathomable the amount of flood damage reduction to downstream communities it has provided over the years,” Richards said. “It is definitely difficult to put it in perspective.”

The Army Corps estimates the dam has provided more than $531 million in flood reduction.

Loyalhanna Lake is among 16 flood projects in the district authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938.

Not only does it provide a flood control mission, the dam augments river flow, which Hawk said “has a positive effect on water quality, water quantity and aquatic habitat of the Kiskiminetas River.”

Richards added that about 250,000 visitors annually enjoy the 3,532-acre lake that has camping facilities, boat launches and picnic pavilions.

Richards noted that the $5.5 million it cost to build the dam seems small compared to its flood damage and economic benefits over the years.

Dam tours will be held at 11:45 a.m. as well as 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.

The activities will be held at the Corps' facility at 440 Loyalhanna Dam Road.

Anyone with questions can contact the Loyalhanna Lake office at 724-639-9013.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib.