{{short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{distinguish|Elk State Forest}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Elk State Park | image = East Branch Clarion River Lake at Elk State Park.jpg | image_caption = The East Branch Clarion River Lake at Elk State Park | image_alt = River | image_size = 280 | location = [[Elk County, Pennsylvania|Elk]] and [[McKean County, Pennsylvania|McKean]] counties, [[Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.60621|-78.55995|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="elksp"/> | area = {{convert|3,192|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="elksp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1778|ft}} | established = 1963 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = | free_data = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Elk State Park | label_position = | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Elk State Park''' is a {{convert|3192|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Jones Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania|Jones Township]], [[Elk County, Pennsylvania|Elk County]] and [[Sergeant Township, Pennsylvania|Sergeant Township]], [[McKean County, Pennsylvania|McKean County]], [[Pennsylvania]], in the United States. [[East Branch Clarion River Lake]] is a man-made lake covering {{convert|1160|acre}} within the park. The lake and streams in the park are stocked with cold and warm water fish. There are {{convert|3151|acre}} of woods open to [[hunting]].
==Recreation== ===East Branch Clarion River Lake=== [[East Branch Clarion River Lake]] was constructed by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|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, Pennsylvania|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]].<ref name="lake">{{cite web |url = http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/eastbran.htm |title = East Branch Clarion River Lake |access-date = 2007-02-18 |publisher = [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070316182659/http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/eastbran.htm |archive-date = 2007-03-16 }}</ref>
The dam is {{convert|7.3|mi}} upstream from the [[confluence (geography)|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}} 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]].<ref name="lake"/>
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 [[home|domestic]] uses. These releases of the lake waters also improve navigation on the rivers and enhance [[aquatic ecosystem|aquatic]] life.<ref name="lake"/><ref name="elksp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/elk-state-park |title=Elk State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref>
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 trout|brook]], [[lake trout|lake]], [[rainbow trout|rainbow]] and [[brown trout]]. The [[stream|creek]]s of the park are [[fish stocking|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.<ref name="elksp"/>
===Hunting=== There are {{convert|3151|acre}} of woods open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the [[Pennsylvania Game Commission]]. The common game species are [[American black bear|black bears]], [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrels]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[wild turkey|turkeys]]. The hunting of [[groundhog]]s is prohibited. Hunters also use the park to gain access to the nearby State Game Lands and [[Elk State Forest]].<ref name="elksp"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{Portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/elk-state-park Elk State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url=https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737687&DocName=ELK_ParkMap.pdf |title=Elk State Park official map}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:United States Army Corps of Engineers]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1963]] [[Category:Parks in Elk County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in McKean County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:1963 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Elk County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of McKean County, Pennsylvania]]