History:
The Boards of Commissioners of Cambria and Somerset Counties came together in 1999 to form the CSA to purchase and operate the land and water properties formerly owned by the MWCO. The official transfer of ownership was completed in August 2000. The CSA is a municipal authority guided by an 8-member board, with Cambria and Somerset Counties each appointing four members.

Wilmore Dam was one of five reservoirs obtained by the CSA and are now owned and managed by them. Three of the largest reservoirs acquired have been opened for public recreation. Wilmore Dam has had quite an extensive transformation from what it once was prior to the ownership by the CSA. Along with the volunteer help and support of various local sportsman clubs and organizations, Wilmore Dam has become an attractive recreation area for boaters, swimmers and anglers. 

Wilmore Dam has a storage capacity of approximately one billion gallons of water, with a watershed area of approximately 11 square miles. The site includes an estimated 900 acres of real estate. It is located in Summerhill Township in Cambria County. From Ebensburg, you take 160 South, turn left onto Willow Beech Road, then turn right onto Law Road. A map can be found by clicking here.  The reservoir is located on the North Branch of the Little Conemaugh River. It is #447 on the regional map provided by the PFBC.  2-3 miles north of Portage to the west of PA Route 164.
Pennsylvania Rail Road:
Constructed in 1908 on the western side of the Alleghenies, Wilmore Dam had been originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. By the early 1940s, its four track pans were each 2685 feet long & at that time were the world's longest. Wilmore is rich in history revolving around the PRR and has been documented and originally published in Milepost, the Journal of the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. (February © 1993 and 2002)

Railroad enthusiasts have traveled from as far away as Scotland following the history of the railroad throughout Pennsylvania. In 2005, I had encountered at the Amtrak Station on Walnut Street in Johnstown, Pa. a Scottish gentleman who was a true railroad historian and stated the importance of this area's link to all railroad historians.
Angling & Boating:
Previous to the purchase by the CSA (Cambria Somerset Authority), the lake had been officially closed to public angling and had never been studied by the Commission. In 1999, Area Fisheries Management 8 personnel conducted a lake inventory to quantify and qualify the lake as a fishery and to develop a fisheries management plan for implementation when the lake opened to public use.  The survey found largemouth bass, black and white crappies, yellow perch, and bluegills available in good abundance and sizes. Bullheads, channel catfish, white suckers, and pumpkinseed round out the fish community in addition to a dense population of golden shiners. This is a warmwater impoundment.

There are well known  feeder creeks that supply Wilmore with its exceptional angling opportunities. These creeks are listed under the SCRIP program for the Fisheries of the Upper Conemaugh Basin. Howell's Run flows from Lake Rowena into Wilmore Dam. The North Branch of the Little Conemaugh River runs out of the dam and into the main branch of the Little Conemaugh River. All are well known for their trout populations.
Regulations:
Hinckston Dam and Wilmore Dam, Cambria County, along with Quemahoning Reservoir, Somerset County, were designated as Big Bass Waters. Under Big Bass regulations, the daily creel limit for bass is four fish that are 15 inches or larger. In addition, all three waters were added to the Panfish Enhancement Special Regulation Program, designed to increase the number and size of sunfish, crappies and yellow perch. Wilmore Dam and Quemahoning Reservoir will have a nine-inch minimum size limit for crappies and yellow perch, along with a seven-inch minimum on sunfish. Hinckston Dam will have a nine-inch minimum for crappies with the seven-inch restriction for sunfish. All three lakes will allow a daily panfish limit of 20 (combined species). The availability of cool water with sufficient dissolved oxygen in the summer is very limited in Wilmore Dam. It is primarily a warm water impoundment and will be managed as one.  In 2006, Pennsylvania's largest Rock Bass weighed in at 15 oz that was caught at Wilmore Dam. 

Firearms Regulations: The carrying or use of firearms on this property is prohibited at all times except while legally hunting and trapping. Individuals may carry firearms on this property if they are licensed to do so under 18 PA.C.S.&1609 or are authorized in conformance with 18 PA.C.S.& 6106.

Other Restrictions: Additional restrictions may be in effect at this site as posted. Please check all posters! Any personal, organizational or commercial use prohibited without proper permit. Please consult PA Summary of Fishing Regulations and the Laws for PFBC property regulations that apply. Off road motorized vehicles such as ATV's are prohibited. 

Boating: All boats using these facilities may not exceed 17’ in length and must be properly registered or possess a PFBC or DCNR launch permit and display the official registration number and current validation stickers as prescribed in the Fish and Boat Code. No internal combustion engine may be possessed or used to propel a boat on this property; possession of marine fuel is prohibited on this property. Boats propelled by electric motors and manually propelled boats may be used. Inflatable boats over 7’ in length may be used in accordance with current regulations in the Fish and Boat Code. 
Many groups get together to explore this beautiful watershed for its rich and varied populations of ephemeral wild flowers. This is also a good location for bald eagles and ospreys. Over 40 varieties of early spring flowers can be found in the forested hillsides of Wilmore Dam.  The Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society is a great place for information on hikes and outings for nature lovers, bird watchers and scenic photographers.
To view Wilmore Reservoirs Recreation area and boat launch, please visit the CSA's Photo Gallery
 
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