Lake Mount Union dam
Lake Mount Union
Lake Mount Union, located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, is a concrete dam constructed in 1927 with a primary purpose of water supply. With a dam height of 51 feet and a storage capacity of 211 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 10 acres and serves as a critical source of water for the surrounding area. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Mount Union is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation.
The dam on Lake Mount Union poses a high hazard potential, but its condition assessment is deemed satisfactory as of the last inspection in November 2019. Despite its age, the dam remains in good standing, meeting state regulatory standards for water resource management. As a vital water supply infrastructure in Shirley Township, Lake Mount Union plays a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water source for the local community and highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring dam structures in the face of changing climate conditions.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate resilience can appreciate Lake Mount Union as a key component of the water supply system in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The reservoir's historical significance, coupled with its regulatory oversight and maintenance, underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the context of climate change. As water resource enthusiasts continue to advocate for the preservation and enhancement of water infrastructure, Lake Mount Union stands out as a prime example of a well-managed reservoir that serves both its primary purpose and the broader community's water needs.
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 Mount Union -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aughwick Creek Near Shirleysburg | 258 cfs | → |
| Juniata River At Mapleton Depot | 2,180 cfs | → |
| Aughwick Creek Near Three Springs | 138 cfs | → |
| Rays Br Juniata R Bl Rays Dam Nr Huntingdon | 1,430 cfs | → |
| Juniata River At Huntingdon | 657 cfs | → |
| Frankstown Br Juniata River At Williamsburg | 248 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Mount Union.
Boat launches
- Mapleton Riverside Park Access
- Dcnr/Forestry Shawmut Access
- Newton Hamilton
- Corbin's Island
- Point Access
- Smithfield Riverside Park
Campgrounds
- Susquehannock - Raystown Lake
- Seven Points
- Trough Creek State Park
- Fowlers Hollow State Park
- Canoe Creek State Park
- Cowans Gap State Park
Track Lake Mount Union 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 Mount Union
Where does the data for Lake Mount Union 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 Mount Union.