Crystal Lake dam
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned dam regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Built in 1888, this Gravity-type dam stands at a height of 32 feet and spans a length of 1695 feet, with a storage capacity of 9337 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for water supply, serving as a vital resource in Bear Creek Township and drawing from the Wapwallopen Creek.
With a high hazard potential, Crystal Lake has undergone modifications in 2007 to enhance its hydraulic capabilities. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition according to the latest inspection in August 2020. The surrounding area covers 494 acres with a drainage area of 2.5 square miles, making it a crucial component of the local water infrastructure.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate will find Crystal Lake to be a fascinating example of historic dam engineering and management. Its role in water supply, regulatory oversight, and risk assessment showcase the complexities of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship in a changing climate landscape. As a key feature in the region, understanding and monitoring the condition of Crystal Lake is essential for ensuring water security and safety in Luzerne County.
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 Crystal Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 8,970 cfs | → |
| Lehigh R Bl Francis E Walter Res Nr White Haven Pa | 404 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Stoddartsville | 159 cfs | → |
| Tobyhanna Creek Near Blakeslee | 133 cfs | → |
| Lackawanna River At Old Forge | 349 cfs | → |
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Lake.
Boat launches
- Nesbit Park
- Hanover Township Access
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Luzerne County
- Francis E. Walter Dam Road Kidder Township
- Hunlock Township
- Carverston Road-Francis Slocum State Park
Track Crystal 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 Crystal Lake
Where does the data for Crystal 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 Crystal Lake.