# Lake Latonka (Mercer County, PA): what to check before you buy
Source page: https://lakepennsylvania.net/lakes/lake-latonka · 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: Big Bend on Shenango River Lake (USACE), 6.9 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 6, 2020. The dam section below shows the full record and what each value means.

**Has state sampling found algae problems?**
State sampling data has 14 sample results for this lake (2019–2023); 13 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 Coolspring Township in Mercer County and Jackson Township in Mercer County (PA municipal boundary map, checked Oct 4, 2026). Confirm which one the property is in.

## Facts
- Lake outline area (USGS NHD): About 255 acres (USGS NHD outline) (source: https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServer/12; checked 2026-10-04)
- Shoreline municipalities: Coolspring Township (Mercer County); Jackson Township (Mercer County) (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/245; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Coolspring Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://coolspringtownship.com/ordinances; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Jackson Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://www.mercercountypa.gov/Municipalities/Municipalities.aspx; checked 2026-10-04)
- Public launch: No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Big Bend on Shenango River Lake (USACE), 6.9 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 Latonka): 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 Latonka): 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 (Lake Latonka): 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 Latonka): 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 Latonka): 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 Latonka): 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 Latonka): 2020-10-06 (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 Latonka): 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 14 sample results for this lake (2019–2023); 13 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.