Wildwood Lake dam
Wildwood Lake
Wildwood Lake, located in Dauphin, Pennsylvania, is a local government-owned dam on Paxton Creek that serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Built in 1908, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 1300 feet, providing a storage capacity of 790 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 614 acre-feet and a surface area of 46 acres, Wildwood Lake plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the area.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Wildwood Lake is state-regulated, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures in place to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite being assessed as having a low hazard potential and not rated for condition assessment, the dam is inspected every five years to maintain its operational readiness. As a key component in the flood risk reduction strategy for Harrisburg City, Wildwood Lake remains a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
Its strategic location, close to the urban center, and its connection to the Baltimore District of the USACE add to the significance of Wildwood Lake in the overall water resource management framework. With a rich history dating back over a century, this dam continues to be a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental protection, and community resilience in the face of changing climate patterns. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, the role of Wildwood Lake in safeguarding against flooding and ensuring water security is more critical than ever, making it a site of interest for those passionate about sustainable water resource management.
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 Wildwood Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paxton Creek Near Glenwood | 5 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Harrisburg | 26,400 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
| Conodoguinet Creek Near Hogestown | 186 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek Near Hershey | 351 cfs | → |
| Sherman Creek At Shermans Dale | 99 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wildwood Lake.
Boat launches
- Enola Boat Access
- West Fairview Point
- Pfbc Fort Hunter Boat Launch
- Heritage Park Picnic Area And Boat Launch
- Locust Street
- City Island
Campgrounds
- Streamside Campsite
- Forest Campsite With Stream
- Forest Campsite (No Water)
- Stoevers Dam Park
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Blue Mountain Campsite
More reservoirs
Track Wildwood Lake 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 Wildwood Lake
Where does the data for Wildwood Lake 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 Low 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 Wildwood Lake.