Water Supply dam
Water Supply
Located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, the Water Supply dam stands as a vital structure regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Completed in 1936, this Earth-type dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.9 square miles. Despite its age, the dam maintains a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
Overlooking the SOUTH BRANCH LINESVILLE CREEK, the Water Supply dam in Foster Township offers a surface area of 5 acres and a dam length of 600 feet. Its strategic location in the Philadelphia District adds to its significance, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With a history dating back to the mid-20th century, this dam exemplifies a balance between conservation and recreation, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices.
As the sole source of water supply in the region, the Water Supply dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance and supporting recreational activities. With regular inspections and state oversight, this dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management in Pennsylvania. Its presence not only provides essential water storage but also contributes to the overall resilience of the community in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Water Supply -- 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 | → |
| Tobyhanna Creek Near Blakeslee | 133 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Stoddartsville | 159 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 8,970 cfs | → |
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 52 cfs | → |
| Tunkhannock Creek Near Long Pond | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Water Supply.
Boat launches
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Luzerne County
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Kidder Township
- Hanover Township Access
- Nesbit Park
- Mauch Chunk Lake Boat Launch A
- Mauch Chunk Boat Launch
Track Water Supply 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 Water Supply
Where does the data for Water Supply 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 Water Supply.