Hamlin Lake Park dam
Hamlin Lake Park
Hamlin Lake Park in McKean, Pennsylvania is a picturesque destination boasting a stunning earth dam completed in 1915 across Marvin Creek. The park spans 27.6 acres and offers a tranquil retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet, making it a vital asset for recreation purposes in the area.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Hamlin Lake Park is a regulated site with state inspection and enforcement protocols in place. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition, ensuring the safety of visitors and the surrounding community. The park's location in Smethport Borough, nestled within the Pittsburgh District, adds to its allure as a recreational hub for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation.
With its rich history and scenic beauty, Hamlin Lake Park stands as a beacon of conservation and sustainable water management in Pennsylvania. Whether you are a local resident or a nature enthusiast, a visit to this charming park promises a rejuvenating experience amidst the serenity of Marvin Creek and the lush surroundings of McKean County. Explore the wonders of this hidden gem and immerse yourself in the harmony of water resources and climate preservation at Hamlin Lake Park.
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 Hamlin Lake Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny River At Port Allegany | 390 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Eldred | 1,040 cfs | → |
| East Branch Clarion River Near Clermont | 0 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile Run Near Rasselas | 18 cfs | → |
| Kinzua Creek Near Guffey | 92 cfs | → |
| Oswayo Creek At Shinglehouse | 134 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamlin Lake Park.
Boat launches
- Hamlin Lake
- Instanter Boat Launch
- Southern Tier Expressway Cattaraugus County
- Sugar Run Road Corydon Township
- Asp Rte 1 Cattaraugus County
- Four Mile Road Alma
Campgrounds
- East Branch Lake
- Twin Lakes Rec Area
- Hammond Run Campsite
- Root Run Campsite
- Hammond Run Waterfall Campsite
- Briggs Run Campsite
Paddle runs
Track Hamlin Lake Park 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 Hamlin Lake Park
Where does the data for Hamlin Lake Park 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 Hamlin Lake Park.