[2] The dam was built in 1943 by Alcoa to create a freshwater reservoir for the Canonsburg Forging Plant, which was considered a strategic resource during World War II.

There is a boat launch ramp on the eastern shore of the lake with a parking lot with a capacity of "at least 10 vehicles.

"[note 2] Only registered boats (or those with a valid launch permit issued by the Commission or PA Dept.

The dam of Canonsburg Lake was considered deficient in several ways by a 1996 assessment by Schnabel Engineering Associates.

[1] The deficiencies included minor surface deterioration of the concrete, insufficient spillway capacity, and the lack of a low level outlet for the reservoir, among other problems.