Alternate A27 · Southwest
Hemlock Lake
Indiana County · Southwest region · 60 acres
Quiet Water Small Water Checked Oct 2026
- Size
- 60 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
Hemlock Lake (east) access area Marked closed in the source data
Ramp · ramp
40.86365, -78.88322 (about ±50 m)
Parking: 10 spaces or more
PA boat registration or a PFBC/State Parks launch permit is required to launch here.
Hemlock Lake (west) access area Marked closed in the source data
Ramp · ramp
40.86445, -78.88729 (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
PFBC began a partial drawdown in February 2026 and says the east and west launch ramps stay closed until further notice.
Access notice from a PFBC news release, published Feb 24, 2026.
About Hemlock Lake
Alternate A27 is Hemlock Lake, a 60-acre reservoir in Indiana County (Southwest region). Some sources list it as Straight Run Lake. That acreage is the figure given by 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 Hemlock Lake (east) access area and Hemlock Lake (west) access area. Hemlock Lake (east) access area has a launch ramp and parking listed as 10 spaces or more. At least one put-in is marked closed in the source data; read the notice below before you plan a trip. 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 is an alternate this season because of a dated closure or drawdown notice, so read the notice box before you plan a trip. Logging it moves you toward the Southwest region milestone. As the crow flies, the closest put-in is about 35 miles from Altoona. Before you go, check posted signs, the weather and the operator's notices.
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 Hemlock Lake
Where do I put in at Hemlock Lake?
Hemlock Lake has two listed put-ins: Hemlock Lake (east) access area, Hemlock Lake (west) access area. Hemlock Lake (east) access area is at 40.86365, -78.88322 with ramp; parking: 10 spaces or more.
Are motorboats allowed on Hemlock 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 Hemlock 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 Hemlock Lake?
60 acres, as listed by the Fish and Boat Commission's lake page.
Is there a notice for Hemlock Lake?
PFBC began a partial drawdown in February 2026 and says the east and west launch ramps stay closed until further notice. Source: a PFBC news release, published Feb 24, 2026.
Sources
- PFBC lake page — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Fish and Boat Commission access map — checked Oct 4, 2026
- Access notice source — checked Feb 24, 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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