# Lake Heritage (Adams County, PA): what to check before you buy
Source page: https://lakepennsylvania.net/lakes/lake-heritage · 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: Long Arm Dam, Lawrence B. Sheppard Reservoir on Long Arm Reservoir (local government), 11.0 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 Mar 16, 2021. The dam section below shows the full record and what each value means.

**Has state sampling found algae problems?**
State sampling data has 6 sample results for this lake (2020); 4 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?**
Its shoreline touches Mount Joy Township in Adams County, Mount Pleasant Township in Adams County, and Straban Township in Adams County (PA municipal boundary map, checked Oct 4, 2026). Confirm which one the property is in.

## Facts
- Lake outline area (USGS NHD): About 140 acres (USGS NHD outline) (source: https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServer/12; checked 2026-10-04)
- Shoreline municipalities: Mount Joy Township (Adams County); Mount Pleasant Township (Adams County); Straban Township (Adams County) (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/245; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Mount Joy Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://mtjoytwp.us/township-codes-ordinances/; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Mount Pleasant Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: http://www.mtpleasanttwp-adams.com/home/departments/ordinances-plans; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Straban Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: http://www.ecode360.com/?custId=ST1415; checked 2026-10-04)
- Public launch: No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Long Arm Dam, Lawrence B. Sheppard Reservoir on Long Arm Reservoir (local government), 11.0 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 (Lake Heritage): 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 (Lake Heritage): Poor (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 (Lake Heritage): 1966 (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 (Lake Heritage): 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 (Lake Heritage): 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 (Lake Heritage): 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 (Lake Heritage): 2021-03-16 (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 (Lake Heritage): 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 6 sample results for this lake (2020); 4 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.