Lake Underwood dam
Lake Underwood
Lake Underwood is a private recreational lake located in Preston Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1890, the earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans 110 feet in length, creating a surface area of 86 acres and a storage capacity of 378 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its age, Lake Underwood's dam is in satisfactory condition and has a significant hazard potential. The lake serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based recreational activities. With a drainage area of 3.25 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 310 acre-feet, the lake offers a tranquil setting for fishing, boating, and other leisure pursuits. The dam was last inspected in November 2019 and has undergone modifications in 2008 to enhance its hydraulic functions.
Managed by private owners, Lake Underwood provides a valuable resource for the local community and visitors alike. Its proximity to TR Equinunk Creek and the Philadelphia District adds to its appeal, drawing in those interested in water resource management and climate-related issues. As a regulated structure with a long history of providing recreation opportunities, Lake Underwood stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and preserving our water resources for future generations to enjoy.
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 Underwood -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Equinunk Creek Near Dillontown | 41 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Lordville Ny | 1,980 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville | 35 cfs | → |
| West Branch Delaware River At Hale Eddy Ny | 601 cfs | → |
| Lackawanna River Near Forest City | 45 cfs | → |
| East Br Delaware R At Fishs Eddy Ny | 871 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Underwood.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- French Woods Performing Arts Camp
- Soaring Eagle Campground
- East Lake Campground
- Keen Lake Camping And Cottage Resort
- Sky Lake Camp And Retreat Center
- Lander's Skinners Falls Campground
More reservoirs
Track Lake Underwood 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 Underwood
Where does the data for Lake Underwood 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 Significant 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 Underwood.