Elk State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Elk State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption = The East Branch Clarion River Lake at Elk State Park
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Elk
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = Counties
region = Elk
region1 = McKean
district_type = Townships
district = Jones
district1 = Sergeant
city =
location =
lat_d = 41
lat_m = 35
lat_s = 22
lat_NS = N
long_d = 78
long_m = 33
long_s = 41
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1192428
title=Elk State Park
date = August 2 1979
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-02-12]
elevation_imperial = 1778
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 3192
area_round = 1
area1_imperial =
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lowest =
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biome =
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geology =
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plant =
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established_type =
established = 1963
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
management_location =
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visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free = St. Marys, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Elk State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first =
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/elk.aspx Elk State Park]

Elk State Park is a convert|3192|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in Jones Township, Elk County and Sergeant Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. East Branch Clarion River Lake is a man-made lake covering convert|1160|acre|km2|2 within the park. The lake and streams in the park are stocked with cold and warm water fish. There are convert|3151|acre|km2|2 acres of woods open to hunting.

Recreation

East Branch Clarion River Lake

East Branch Clarion River Lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by damming the East Branch of the Clarion River. Construction of the rolled earth, impervious core dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944. The lake is one of sixteen flood control projects administered by the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers. East Branch Clarion River Lake helps to provide flood protection for the Clarion River valley and the lower portions of the Allegheny River and the upper portions of the Ohio River.cite web
url = http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/eastbran.htm
title = East Branch Clarion River Lake
accessdate = 2007-02-18
publisher = United States Army Corps of Engineers]

The dam is convert|7.3|mi|1 upstream from the confluence of the East and West branches of the Clarion River. It was constructed in 1952 for $9 million and serves a convert|72.4|sqmi|km2|1 drainage area. It is estimated that East Branch Clarion River Lake has prevented $81 million in damage. The dam was especially important in curtailing damage during the 1972 floods caused by Hurricane Agnes.

East Branch Clarion River Lake also serves recreational purposes. Controlled releases of water during the dry summer months help to improve water quality and quantity for industrial and domestic uses. These releases of the lake waters also improve navigation on the rivers and enhance aquatic life.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/elk.aspx
title = Elk State Park
accessdate = 2006-11-07
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

East Branch Clarion River Lake is a destination for both fisherman and recreational boaters. The lake is home to cold water fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, brook, lake, rainbow and brown trout. The creeks of the park are stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. There is a native brook trout population in some of the smaller streams of the park. There is no limit on the power of the boats. All boats are required to have current registration with any state. Ice fishing and ice boating are common winter activities on East Branch Clarion River Lake.

Hunting

There are convert|3151|acre|km2|2 acres of woods open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are black bears, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters also use the park to gain access to the nearby State Game Lands and Elk State Forest.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Elk State Park: [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/elk_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Elk County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows Elk State Park "] [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/mckean_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map McKean County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-28 "Note: shows Elk State Park"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-20]
*Bendigo State Park (Elk County)
*Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron County and Clinton Counties)
*Kinzua Bridge State Park (McKean County)
*Parker Dam State Park (Clearfield County)
*Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
*Sizerville State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)

References

External links

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