# Deer Lake (Fayette County, PA): what to check before you buy
Source page: https://lakepennsylvania.net/lakes/deer-lake · Facts checked 2026-10-04

## Short answers
**Who owns the water and the dam?**
The dam's owner type is Private (USACE NID, record dated Apr 9, 2021). Checked Oct 4, 2026.

**Is there a public launch?**
No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Jockey Hollow on Youghiogheny River Lake (PFBC), 11.3 mi straight-line.

**Can I run a motorboat?**
Set by the lake's owner; ask (Question 6).

**What does the dam's federal record say?**
The National Inventory of Dams record for this lake's dam was last updated Apr 9, 2021, and the last inspection it reports was Oct 27, 2020. The dam section below shows the full record and what each value means.

**Has state sampling found algae problems?**
State sampling data has 3 sample results for this lake (2019–2026); 1 were at Advisory (Yellow) or Avoid Contact (Red) levels. These are single-sample results, not a lake-wide status (checked Oct 4, 2026).

**Which township or borough is it in?**
It is in Wharton Township in Fayette County (PA municipal boundary map, checked Oct 4, 2026).

## Facts
- Lake outline area (USGS NHD): About 58 acres (USGS NHD outline) (source: https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServer/12; checked 2026-10-04)
- Shoreline municipalities: Wharton Township (Fayette County) (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/245; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Wharton Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://whartontownship.com/ordinances/zoning-ordinance; checked 2026-10-04)
- Public launch: No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Jockey Hollow on Youghiogheny River Lake (PFBC), 11.3 mi straight-line. (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/81; checked 2026-10-04)
- NID hazard potential (Deer Lake): High (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- NID condition assessment (Deer Lake): Fair (assessment date not reported) (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Year completed (Deer Lake): 1906 (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Dam owner type (Deer Lake): Private (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Regulator (Deer Lake): PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Emergency action plan reported (Deer Lake): not reported (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Last inspection reported (Deer Lake): 2020-10-27 (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- NID record date (Deer Lake): 2021-04-09 (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Who owns or controls the dam: The dam's owner type is Private (USACE NID, record dated Apr 9, 2021). (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- State HAB sample results (all seasons): State sampling data has 3 sample results for this lake (2019–2026); 1 were at Advisory (Yellow) or Avoid Contact (Red) levels. These are single-sample results, not a lake-wide status (checked Oct 4, 2026). (source: https://services1.arcgis.com/Nifc7wlHaBPig3Q3/arcgis/rest/services/HABS2018_2021_FIXED/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)

Independent guide. Not legal, real-estate, engineering or insurance advice.