Mountain Springs Lake dam
Mountain Springs Lake
Mountain Springs Lake, located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, is a private dam regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for its recreational purposes. Built in 1919, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 707 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 436 acre-feet. The dam spans 1050 feet across the Appenzell Creek, providing a surface area of 76 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its age, Mountain Springs Lake faces challenges with a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The dam has not been inspected since January 2021, with an inspection frequency of 1 year. With no emergency action plan in place and limited risk management measures identified, there are concerns about the safety and integrity of the dam, especially in the event of a natural disaster or flood. It is crucial for stakeholders to address these issues to ensure the continued safety and enjoyment of this recreational resource.
Given its importance for water recreation and conservation in the region, it is vital for the relevant authorities and stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance and improvement of Mountain Springs Lake. By implementing a comprehensive risk assessment, updating emergency action plans, and conducting regular inspections and maintenance, they can mitigate potential hazards and ensure the long-term sustainability of this natural resource. As climate change continues to impact water resources, proactive measures are necessary to protect and preserve Mountain Springs Lake for future generations of water and climate enthusiasts.
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 Mountain Springs Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pocono Creek Ab Wigwam Run Near Stroudsburg | 19 cfs | → |
| Swiftwater Creek At Swiftwater | 12 cfs | → |
| Brodhead Creek Near Analomink | 76 cfs | → |
| Tunkhannock Creek Near Long Pond | 21 cfs | → |
| Pohopoco Creek At Kresgeville | 53 cfs | → |
| Brodhead Creek At Minisink Hills | 246 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Springs Lake.
Track Mountain Springs 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 Mountain Springs Lake
Where does the data for Mountain Springs 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 Mountain Springs Lake.