Lower Hemlock Lake dam
Lower Hemlock Lake
Lower Hemlock Lake, located in Pike, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned recreational reservoir regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The earth dam, completed in 1947, stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 440 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 394 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 23 acres and is fed by the TR Rock Hill Creek, making it a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Lower Hemlock Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its location in Blooming Grove Township and its proximity to residential areas. The dam has a regular inspection frequency to ensure its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. The surrounding community must remain vigilant to the potential risks associated with the reservoir and adhere to safety guidelines in case of emergencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Lower Hemlock Lake a fascinating case study in dam management and recreational water use. With its unique design and historical significance, the reservoir serves as a valuable resource for both the local ecosystem and recreational activities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the management and regulation of sites like Lower Hemlock Lake becomes increasingly crucial for sustainable water management practices.
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 Lower Hemlock Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bush Kill At Edgemere | 10 cfs | → |
| Shohola Creek Near Walker Lake | 58 cfs | → |
| Lackawaxen River At Rowland | 497 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Montague Nj | 3,950 cfs | → |
| Flat Brook Near Flatbrookville Nj | 44 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Hemlock Lake.
Boat launches
- Pecks Pond Picnic Area
- Old Route 402 Access
- Little Mud Pond
- Blackbirch Court Pike County
- Sunrise Drive 299, Dingman Township
- Lake Minisink
Campgrounds
- Lake Adventure Community Association
- E-13 Silver Lake
- E-14 Ccc Camp
- Camp Speers Ymca
- Bobov Mesivta Camp
- Camp Timber Tops
More reservoirs
Track Lower Hemlock 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 Lower Hemlock Lake
Where does the data for Lower Hemlock 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 Lower Hemlock Lake.