#56 of the LakePA 100 · Southwest
Donegal Lake
Westmoreland County · Southwest region · 90 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 90 acres as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page
- Boat traffic
- Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
- Permit
- PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here. 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
Lake Donegal #1 access area
Ramp · ramp, dock
40.14243, -79.37075 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Lake Donegal #2 access area
Ramp · ramp, dock
40.13498, -79.37073 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Access notices
No access notice on file (we last checked Oct 4, 2026). Check PFBC PA Lakes page before you go.
About Donegal Lake
Donegal Lake holds spot 56 on the LakePA 100. It is a 90-acre reservoir in Westmoreland County, part of the Southwest region. The acreage comes from the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake. Under a hundred acres, it belongs to the Small Water tier. Only paddle craft and electric-motor boats may use it, so it counts as Quiet Water. (Boat rules as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's page for the lake.) We list two put-ins, including Lake Donegal #1 access area and Lake Donegal #2 access area. Lake Donegal #1 access area has a launch ramp, a dock and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At Fish and Boat Commission and state park launches your boat needs a Pennsylvania registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit. A dam holds the water back, so keep well away from the dam, the spillway and any outlet structures. It counts toward the Southwest region milestone. In a straight line, it is about 27 miles from Johnstown to the nearest put-in. 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 Donegal Lake
Where do I put in at Donegal Lake?
Donegal Lake has two listed put-ins: Lake Donegal #1 access area, Lake Donegal #2 access area. Lake Donegal #1 access area is at 40.14243, -79.37075 with ramp, dock; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Donegal Lake?
Quiet water: paddle craft and electric-motor boats only. As listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page, checked Oct 2026.
Do I need a launch permit at Donegal Lake?
Yes, at the Fish and Boat Commission launch: a Pennsylvania boat registration or a PFBC or State Parks launch permit is required.
Source: PFBC, “Registration vs. Launch Permit”, checked 4 Oct 2026.
How big is Donegal Lake?
90 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — 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.
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