Skytop dam
Skytop
Skytop, also known as Mountain Lake, is a private water resource located in Barrett Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The dam, completed in 1930, serves primarily for recreational purposes and is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 680 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1021 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 629 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 68 acres.
The dam, classified as an Earth dam with a Buttress core type, poses a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition according to the latest inspection in December 2020. It has undergone modifications in 2017 to enhance its hydraulic capabilities. The surrounding area is drained by the LEAVITT BRANCH BRODHEAD CREEK, with a drainage area of 5.7 square miles. Skytop is an essential water resource for the region, offering both recreational opportunities and vital water storage for the community.
As a private facility, Skytop's operations and maintenance are overseen by the primary owner, providing a crucial recreational outlet for residents and visitors alike. With its scenic location and important role in water resource management, Skytop stands as a testament to the intersection of human recreation and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Skytop -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brodhead Creek Near Analomink | 76 cfs | → |
| Swiftwater Creek At Swiftwater | 12 cfs | → |
| Little Bush Kill At Edgemere | 10 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 123 cfs | → |
| Pocono Creek Ab Wigwam Run Near Stroudsburg | 19 cfs | → |
| Brodhead Creek At Minisink Hills | 246 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skytop.
Boat launches
- North Shore Road Greene Township
- Snow Shanty Boat Mooring
- Greene Township
- Beechwood Area
- Bear Wallow Road - Observation Station
- Main Beach And Picnic Area
Track Skytop 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 Skytop
Where does the data for Skytop 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 Skytop.