Opossum Lake dam
Opossum Lake
Opossum Lake, located in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, is a state-owned reservoir that serves as a valuable water resource for the region. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this earth dam structure was completed in 1961 and stands at a height of 38 feet with a length of 310 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 1090 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 690 acre-feet, Opossum Lake covers a surface area of 59 acres and drains a watershed area of 4.83 square miles.
Primarily used for recreation, Opossum Lake provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and picnicking in a scenic natural setting. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its safety and integrity. The reservoir is a vital resource for the community, offering both recreational enjoyment and important water storage capabilities for various uses. With its picturesque location in Lower Frankford Township and proximity to Opossum Creek, this dam serves as a key asset in the region's water management infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and ecosystems, Opossum Lake plays a critical role in maintaining water security and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Its regulated state jurisdiction and robust inspection protocols underscore the commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of this important water infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Opossum Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity, environmental stewardship, and recreational enjoyment in the management of water resources for the benefit of both present and future generations.
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 Opossum Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman Creek At Shermans Dale | 99 cfs | → |
| Bixler Run Near Loysville | 6 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek Near Pine Grove Furnace | 11 cfs | → |
| Conodoguinet Creek Near Hogestown | 186 cfs | → |
| Bermudian Creek At Oxford Road Nr Heidlersburg | 6 cfs | → |
| Juniata River At Newport | 2,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Opossum Lake.
Boat launches
- Opossum Lake Bl #1
- Opossum Lake Bl #2
- North Middleton Park
- Letort Falls Park
- Childrens Lake B.L.
- Old Willow Mill Road 277, Cumberland County
Campgrounds
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Primitive Campsite #4
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #7
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #8
Fishing spots
Track Opossum 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 Opossum Lake
Where does the data for Opossum 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 Opossum Lake.