Penn Lake dam
Penn Lake
Penn Lake, located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, is a picturesque body of water managed by the local government for recreational purposes. Constructed in 1905, this Earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 56 acres and is fed by Wright Creek, making it a vital resource for the surrounding community.
Despite its historical significance, Penn Lake is facing challenges in terms of its structural integrity. The dam has been classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, raising concerns for its long-term sustainability. In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and maintenance of the dam. With a risk assessment rating of moderate, there is a pressing need for risk management measures to address the dam's deficiencies and safeguard the surrounding area from potential hazards.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor the ongoing efforts to maintain and improve Penn Lake's infrastructure. With a long history of modifications and recent inspections, the lake serves as a focal point for environmental stewardship and community engagement. By staying informed and advocating for sustainable practices, we can help preserve Penn Lake for future generations to enjoy its recreational benefits while protecting the local ecosystem and 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 Penn Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lehigh R Bl Francis E Walter Res Nr White Haven Pa | 404 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Stoddartsville | 159 cfs | → |
| Tobyhanna Creek Near Blakeslee | 133 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 8,970 cfs | → |
| Tunkhannock Creek Near Long Pond | 21 cfs | → |
| Lackawanna River At Old Forge | 349 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Penn Lake.
Boat launches
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Luzerne County
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Kidder Township
- Nesbit Park
- Hanover Township Access
- Brady's Lake
- Hunlock Township
Track Penn 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 Penn Lake
Where does the data for Penn 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 High 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 Penn Lake.