Lake Altoona dam
Lake Altoona
Lake Altoona is a vital water resource in Blair, Pennsylvania, serving as a primary water supply for the area since its completion in 1913. The earth dam, standing at a height of 65 feet and stretching 1934 feet in length, holds a storage capacity of 3729 acre-feet and covers an area of 82.25 acres. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring its safe operation for the surrounding community.
Located in Logan Township and fed by the Burgoon Run, Lake Altoona poses a high hazard potential but is currently in fair condition according to the latest assessment. With a drainage area of 12.9 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 2566 acre-feet, the lake plays a crucial role in providing water for various purposes. Although there are no lock structures associated with the dam, the local government remains responsible for its maintenance and emergency preparedness.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Lake Altoona to be an intriguing site due to its historical significance and ongoing importance in providing water for the region. With its picturesque surroundings and essential role in water supply, the dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in the maintenance of a sustainable water system.
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 Altoona -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frankstown Br Juniata River At Williamsburg | 185 cfs | → |
| Bald Eagle Creek At Tyrone | 25 cfs | → |
| Little Juniata River At Spruce Creek | 178 cfs | → |
| Raystown Branch Juniata River At Saxton | 222 cfs | → |
| Juniata River At Huntingdon | 563 cfs | → |
| Little Conemaugh River At East Conemaugh | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Altoona.
Boat launches
- Spillway Court Frankstown Township
- Beaver Dam Road Frankstown Township
- Range Road Boat Launch White Township
- Sailboat Launch
- Wilmore Dam
- Lake Rowena
Track Lake Altoona 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 Altoona
Where does the data for Lake Altoona 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 Altoona.