Alternate A7 · North Central
Cowanesque Lake
Tioga County · North Central region · 1,085 acres
Big Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 1,085 acres as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page
- Boat traffic
- Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.) Paddling rules →
- Dam
- This lake is held back by a dam. Stay well away from the dam, spillway and outlet structures.
Where to put in
South Shore access area
Ramp · paved ramp, dock
41.97437, -77.20024 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
Run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Check its rules. (PA's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park/forest launches.)
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check Corps of Engineers lake page before you go.
About Cowanesque Lake
Alternate A7 is Cowanesque Lake, a 1,085-acre reservoir in Tioga County (North Central region). That acreage is the figure given by the Corps of Engineers lake page. It counts toward the Big Water tier, which means wind and long crossings can matter on a paddle here. Motors are not limited by size here, so expect powerboats and wakes. That rule is as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access data. You launch at South Shore access area, which has a paved ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. The listed launches are run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so check its rules before you go. It is held back by a dam: stay well clear of the dam, the spillway and the outlet structures. It sits just outside the 100 under our tie-break rules, and paddling it still counts toward your total and your region. It counts toward the North Central region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 51 miles from Williamsport. Check the operator's notices, the weather and posted signs before you launch.
Rules for paddlers
Pennsylvania's paddler rules (permits, life jackets, whistle and light) are on one dated page. Paddling rules →
Safety
Paddling has real risks. Wear your life jacket. Pennsylvania requires it to be worn on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from Nov 1 through Apr 30, and by children 12 and under all year. Check the weather, posted signs and the operator's notices before you launch. Stay well away from dams, spillways and outlet structures. You paddle at your own risk.
Nearby on the list
Straight-line distance between the lakes, not driving distance.
Questions about Cowanesque Lake
Where do I put in at Cowanesque Lake?
Cowanesque Lake has one listed put-in: South Shore access area. South Shore access area is at 41.97437, -77.20024 with paved ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Cowanesque Lake?
Busy water possible: no motor limit, so expect powerboats and wakes. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's access map, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Cowanesque Lake?
Cowanesque Lake's listed launches are run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; check its rules. Pennsylvania's launch-permit rule applies at PFBC and state park or forest launches.
How big is Cowanesque Lake?
1,085 acres, as listed by the Corps of Engineers lake page.
Sources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USACE National Inventory of Dams (Cowanesque Dam, PA01134) — checked Oct 4, 2026
- 58 Pa. Code § 111.59 — checked Oct 4, 2026
- USGS National Hydrography Dataset — checked Oct 4, 2026
Every fact on this page comes from these public sources. Posted signs and official notices always control.
Share this lake
Download the lake card (1080×1350)
For your post or story. #LakePA100