Lake Mokoma dam
Lake Mokoma
Lake Mokoma, located in Laporte Borough, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, is a private recreational lake regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Built in 1890, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 500 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 1,422 acre-feet. With a surface area of 110 acres and a drainage area of 3.2 square miles, Lake Mokoma serves as a popular destination for water enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreational activities.
Despite its historical significance and recreational appeal, Lake Mokoma faces challenges in terms of dam safety and maintenance. The dam has a high hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with the most recent inspection conducted in December 2020. In 2005, structural modifications were made to address safety concerns, highlighting the ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of the dam and the safety of the surrounding community. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the management and maintenance of Lake Mokoma will be crucial in preserving this natural and recreational asset for future generations.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize the significance of Lake Mokoma not only as a recreational hub but also as a vital component of the local ecosystem. By staying informed about the dam's condition, regulatory oversight, and risk assessment measures, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation and sustainable management of this water resource. Additionally, advocacy for continued investment in dam safety and maintenance will be essential in mitigating potential risks and ensuring the long-term resilience of Lake Mokoma in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Mokoma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muncy Creek Near Sonestown | 28 cfs | → |
| Towanda Creek Near Franklindale | 72 cfs | → |
| Towanda Creek Near Monroeton | 123 cfs | → |
| Loyalsock Creek At Loyalsockville | 487 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Towanda | 7,140 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Near Bloomsburg | 401 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Mokoma.
Boat launches
- Sones Pond
- Hunters Lake
- Ricketts Glen State Park - Visitor Center
- Ricketts Glen State Park - Trailhead Parking
- Bear Wallow Swamp
- Forest Road Bradford County
Campgrounds
- Worlds End State Park
- Group Tenting Area No. 1
- Group Tenting Area No. 2
- Group Tenting Area No. 3
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Modern Cabins
Paddle runs
- Blackwell, Pennsylvania To Short Mountain Gap Near Torbert, Pennsylvania
- The Colton Road Bridge Near Ansonia, Pennsylvania To Blackwell, Pennsylvania
More reservoirs
Track Lake Mokoma 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 Mokoma
Where does the data for Lake Mokoma 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 Lake Mokoma.