Lake Susquehanna dam
Lake Susquehanna
Lake Susquehanna, located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreational purposes. The dam, constructed in 1973, stands at a height of 51 feet and has a storage capacity of 895 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 614 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 44 acres and is fed by Little Sugarloaf Creek, with a drainage area of 1.9 square miles.
Despite its picturesque setting, Lake Susquehanna poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The last inspection was conducted in November 2020, with a frequency of one inspection per year. With its location in East Union Township and proximity to the Baltimore District, the reservoir is a vital water resource for the region, requiring ongoing risk management measures to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate Lake Susquehanna's significance in providing recreational opportunities while facing challenges related to its aging infrastructure and high hazard potential. As efforts are made to assess and mitigate risks associated with the dam, it highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental conditions. With continued oversight and maintenance, Lake Susquehanna can continue to serve as a valuable resource for the community while adapting to the changing climate and regulatory landscape.
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 Lake Susquehanna -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 52 cfs | → |
| Little Schuylkill River At Tamaqua | 41 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Bloomsburg | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Near Bloomsburg | 356 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Landingville | 209 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Lehighton | 792 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Susquehanna.
Track Lake Susquehanna 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 Lake Susquehanna
Where does the data for Lake Susquehanna 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 Lake Susquehanna.