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

## Short answers
**Who owns the water and the dam?**
The dam's owner type is Local Government (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: Lake Somerset access (PFBC), 9.6 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 Dec 15, 2020. The dam section below shows the full record and what each value means.

**Has state sampling found algae problems?**
The PA HAB dashboard data has no samples for this lake (checked Oct 4, 2026). State agencies don't usually sample private lakes, so ask who monitors the water (Question 8).

**Which township or borough is it in?**
Its shoreline touches Indian Lake Borough in Somerset County and Stonycreek Township in Somerset County (PA municipal boundary map, checked Oct 4, 2026). Confirm which one the property is in.

## Facts
- Lake outline area (USGS NHD): About 497 acres (USGS NHD outline) (source: https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServer/12; checked 2026-10-04)
- Shoreline municipalities: Indian Lake Borough (Somerset County); Stonycreek Township (Somerset County) (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/245; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Indian Lake Borough: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://indianlakepa.us/Borough/Ordinances-Resolutions-and-Agreements; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Stonycreek Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonycreek_Township,_Somerset_County,_Pennsylvania; checked 2026-10-04)
- Public launch: No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Lake Somerset access (PFBC), 9.6 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 (Indian 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 (Indian Lake): Satisfactory (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 (Indian Lake): 1964 (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 (Indian Lake): Local Government (source: https://geospatial.sec.usace.army.mil/dls/rest/services/NID/National_Inventory_of_Dams_Public_Service/FeatureServer/0; checked 2026-10-04)
- Regulator (Indian 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 (Indian 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 (Indian Lake): 2020-12-15 (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 (Indian 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 Local Government (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: The PA HAB dashboard data has no samples for this lake (checked Oct 4, 2026). State agencies don't usually sample private lakes, so ask who monitors the water (Question 8). (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.
