Minsi Lake dam
Minsi Lake
Minsi Lake, located in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, is a state-regulated recreational reservoir built in 1970 for the primary purpose of providing leisure activities to local residents and visitors. With a dam height of 26.5 feet and a storage capacity of 1793 acre-feet, the lake covers an area of 117 acres and is fed by the East Branch Martins Creek. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of the dam to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of surrounding communities.
In 2019, Minsi Lake underwent modifications to enhance its hydraulic capabilities and address other concerns, further ensuring its operational efficiency and safety. The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, but its condition assessment deems it satisfactory, indicating that necessary measures have been taken to mitigate risks. Regular inspections, with an annual frequency, are conducted to monitor the dam's condition and address any potential issues promptly. Despite being state-owned, Minsi Lake is not associated with federal agencies, highlighting the local government's commitment to managing and maintaining this vital water resource effectively.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Minsi Lake for its ecological significance and recreational value in the Northampton County area. As a well-maintained reservoir with a focus on public enjoyment, it serves as a testament to responsible water management and the importance of balancing environmental conservation with community needs. With a rich history dating back to its construction in the 1970s, Minsi Lake continues to be a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and nature appreciation against the backdrop of Pennsylvania's picturesque landscape.
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 Minsi Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brodhead Creek At Minisink Hills | 207 cfs | → |
| Pocono Creek Ab Wigwam Run Near Stroudsburg | 19 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Belvidere Nj | 4,150 cfs | → |
| Beaver Brook Near Belvidere Nj | 14 cfs | → |
| Yards Creek Near Blairstown Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Pequest River At Pequest Nj | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Minsi Lake.
Boat launches
- East Bangor Lake
- Kittatinny Access Area
- Front Street Belvidere
- Pp&Amp;L
- Martins Creek Access Area
- Sandts Eddy
Track Minsi 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 Minsi Lake
Where does the data for Minsi 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 Minsi Lake.