Deer Lake dam
Deer Lake
Deer Lake, located in Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned water resource with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam, completed in 1906, stands at a height of 15 feet and spans a length of 547 feet, creating a surface area of 60 acres. With a normal storage capacity of 359 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 543 acre-feet, Deer Lake offers a serene retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Deer Lake is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with environmental standards. Despite having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with the last inspection conducted in October 2020. The surrounding area, including the Meadow Run stream, adds to the picturesque beauty of Deer Lake and provides a habitat for diverse wildlife, making it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
As a recreational haven in the heart of Pennsylvania, Deer Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation against the backdrop of a historic earth dam. With its rich history dating back over a century, Deer Lake continues to be a popular destination for outdoor recreation, drawing visitors who seek to enjoy the beauty of nature and partake in water-based activities. The dedication to maintaining the dam's safety and compliance with regulations ensures that this idyllic spot remains a cherished retreat for both locals and tourists alike, making it a must-visit for those passionate about water resources and climate conservation.
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 Deer Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 726 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River Below Confluence | 761 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Connellsville | 943 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Youghiogheny River Dam | 464 cfs | → |
| Redstone Creek At Waltersburg | 35 cfs | → |
| Laurel Hill Creek At Ursina | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
- Kentuck Campground
- Tub Run Rec Area - Youghiogheny River Lake
- Paddler's Lane Campground
- Camp Sonrise Mountain Christian Retreat Center
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Deep Creek Lake
- Broadford Lake
- Snowy Creek
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
Track Deer 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 Deer Lake
Where does the data for Deer 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 Deer Lake.