Lake Jean dam
Lake Jean
Lake Jean, located in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, is a stunning body of water with a primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam that forms Lake Jean stands at 26 feet high and spans 780 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 3990 acre-feet. With a surface area of 245 acres and a drainage area of 3 square miles, this picturesque lake offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Jean is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state guidelines. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is considered fair, and emergency action plans are in place. The surrounding area of Fairmount Township offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking, making Lake Jean a popular destination for nature lovers.
As a vital recreational resource in Pennsylvania, Lake Jean serves as a key attraction for those seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. With its rich history dating back to 1950, this reservoir provides not only opportunities for leisure but also a valuable water source for the region. Whether exploring the waters of TR Kitchen Creek or simply taking in the scenic views, Lake Jean offers a unique and captivating experience for all who visit.
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 Jean -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muncy Creek Near Sonestown | 28 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Near Bloomsburg | 401 cfs | → |
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 98 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Wilkes-Barre | 9,940 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Meshoppen | 7,810 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Bloomsburg | 12,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Jean.
Boat launches
- Ricketts Glen State Park - Visitor Center
- Ricketts Glen State Park - Trailhead Parking
- Harris Pond
- Harveys Lake
- Moon Lake
- Sones Pond
Campgrounds
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Modern Cabins
- Moon Lake County Park
- Worlds End State Park
- Group Tenting Area No. 1
- Group Tenting Area No. 2
More reservoirs
Track Lake Jean 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 Jean
Where does the data for Lake Jean 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 Jean.