Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, Loyalhanna Lake is one of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District. An important link in a system of flood control projects, Loyalhanna provides flood protection for the lower Loyalhanna Creek and Kiskiminetas River valleys as well as the lower Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers. Since its completion in 1942, Loyalhanna has prevented more than $531 million in flood damage. The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 6.16 inches of precipitation from its 290 square mile drainage area. When compared to the flood prevention benefits which have resulted, the construction cost of $5.5 million appears small.