Orson Pond dam
Orson Pond
Orson Pond, located in Preston Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, is a private recreational dam constructed in 1849 for the primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 15.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 130 acre-feet. The dam has a length of 116 feet and covers a surface area of 20 acres, serving as a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the TR East Branch Lackawanna River.
Managed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Orson Pond is considered to have a significant hazard potential, with a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in August 2020. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide recreational opportunities for visitors, while also serving as a vital component of the local ecosystem. The dam's presence contributes to the overall water management and conservation efforts in the area, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in preserving water resources for future generations.
With its rich history dating back to the 19th century, Orson Pond stands as a testament to the enduring value of water infrastructure in providing both recreational enjoyment and environmental benefits. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Orson Pond play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water systems. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Orson Pond serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between human activity and natural ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of responsible stewardship for the preservation of our water resources.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Orson Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna River Near Forest City | 45 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville | 35 cfs | → |
| Equinunk Creek Near Dillontown | 41 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Lordville Ny | 1,980 cfs | → |
| West Branch Delaware River At Hale Eddy Ny | 601 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orson Pond.
Track Orson Pond in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Orson Pond
Where does the data for Orson Pond come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Orson Pond.