Pinchot Lake dam
Pinchot Lake
Pinchot Lake, located in Warrington Township, York, Pennsylvania, is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This picturesque lake, formed by an earth dam in 1959 on Beaver Creek, serves primarily for recreational purposes, boasting a surface area of 342 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 8,000 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 2,800 acre-feet, the lake provides a serene setting for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.
The dam at Pinchot Lake stands 50 feet tall and spans a length of 626 feet, enhancing the beauty of the surrounding landscape while also providing flood control measures for the area. Despite being classified with a high hazard potential, the dam is reportedly in fair condition as of the last inspection in March 2021. While there are no associated structures or locks at the site, the dam continues to be regularly inspected to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure for both recreational and flood control purposes.
Water and climate enthusiasts visiting Pinchot Lake can appreciate the efforts of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in managing this vital resource. The lake offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained water resource in the heart of Pennsylvania. With its rich history, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities, Pinchot Lake remains a beloved destination for those passionate about water conservation and climate resilience.
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 Pinchot Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Conewago Creek Near Manchester | 143 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek At Pleasureville | 208 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Harrisburg | 26,400 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek Near York | 200 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pinchot Lake.
Boat launches
- Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #3
- Pinchot State Park Campground
- Pinchot State Park - Boat Mooring #1
- Goldsboro
- Falmouth
- Industrial Avenue Dauphin County
Campgrounds
- Camp Conewago - Boy Scouts Of America
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Streamside Campsite
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #4
Fishing spots
Track Pinchot 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 Pinchot Lake
Where does the data for Pinchot 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 Pinchot Lake.