# Lake Meade (Adams County, PA): what to check before you buy
Source page: https://lakepennsylvania.net/lakes/lake-meade · 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: Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1 on Pinchot Lake (DCNR state park), 8.7 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?**
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 Reading Township in Adams County and Latimore 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 273 acres (USGS NHD outline) (source: https://hydro.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nhd/MapServer/12; checked 2026-10-04)
- Shoreline municipalities: Reading Township (Adams County); Latimore Township (Adams County) (source: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/depgisprd/rest/services/emappa/eMapPA_External_Extraction/MapServer/245; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Reading Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: http://www.readingtownship.net/departments/ordinances; checked 2026-10-04)
- Municipal links: Latimore Township: STR ordinance not found online (source: https://www.latimore.org/zoning; checked 2026-10-04)
- Public launch: No public launch on this lake is listed by PFBC or DCNR (checked Oct 4, 2026). Nearest listed: Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1 on Pinchot Lake (DCNR state park), 8.7 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 Meade): 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 Meade): 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 Meade): 1967 (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 Meade): 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 Meade): 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 Meade): 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 Meade): 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 Meade): 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: 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.