Lewis Lake dam
Lewis Lake
Lewis Lake, located in Herrick Township, Pennsylvania, is a private water resource regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1835, serves primarily for recreation purposes and has a maximum storage capacity of 977 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 737 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 49 acres, the dam stands at a height of 15 feet and stretches 186 feet in length.
The dam's high hazard potential is mitigated by its satisfactory condition assessment and regular inspections, with the most recent one conducted in November 2020. Despite being unlisted in terms of foundations, Lewis Lake dam has a history dating back almost two centuries, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding Fiddle Lake Creek and its 6.52 square miles of drainage area. With its historical significance and recreational value, Lewis Lake stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources across the globe, Lewis Lake serves as a reminder of the need for effective regulatory agencies and enforcement measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of dams and reservoirs. With its location in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Lewis Lake presents both a potential risk and an opportunity for proactive risk management and emergency preparedness. By adhering to guidelines and conducting regular assessments, the dam can continue to provide recreational opportunities while safeguarding the environment and surrounding communities from potential hazards.
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 Lewis Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lackawanna River Near Forest City | 45 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville | 35 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton | 62 cfs | → |
| Dyberry Creek Near Honesdale | 76 cfs | → |
| Lackawanna River At Archbald | 167 cfs | → |
| Equinunk Creek Near Dillontown | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lewis Lake.
Track Lewis 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 Lewis Lake
Where does the data for Lewis 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 Lewis Lake.