Comet Lake dam
Comet Lake
Comet Lake in Washington Township, Pennsylvania, is a privately-owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this earth dam was completed in 1962 and stands at a height of 38 feet with a length of 341 feet. With a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet and a surface area of 3 acres, Comet Lake provides a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Comet Lake remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature. The dam's location on Spring Run, within the Baltimore District, offers a picturesque backdrop for visitors to enjoy the surrounding Franklin County landscape. While the dam has not undergone recent modifications, regular inspections are conducted every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety for recreational use.
As a vital water resource within the region, Comet Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and environmental stewardship. Its inclusion in the state-regulated system underscores the commitment to preserving Pennsylvania's natural beauty and ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors. Whether exploring the lake's tranquil waters or admiring its scenic views, Comet Lake remains a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and ecological conservation in a changing climate.
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 Comet Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Antietam Creek Near Waynesboro | 49 cfs | → |
| Monocacy River At Bridgeport | 38 cfs | → |
| Big Pipe Creek At Bruceville | 31 cfs | → |
| Conococheague Creek At Fairview | 214 cfs | → |
| Marsh Run At Grimes | 7 cfs | → |
| Monocacy River At Monocacy Blvd At Frederick | 193 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Comet Lake.
Boat launches
- Catoctin Hollow Road 13916, Frederick County
- Long Pine
- Big Red Trail Mount Lena
- Frederick
- Taylors Landing
- Blairs Valley Lake
Campgrounds
- Capital Camps & Retreat Center
- Adirondack Shelters Camping Area
- Owens Creek Campground
- Poplar Grove I Group Camping Area
- Owens Creek - Catoctin Mountain National Park
- Poplar Grove Ii Group Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Hunting Creek Lake
- Little Owens Creek
- Melagos Fising Spot
- Culler Lake
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Potomac River Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Comet 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 Comet Lake
Where does the data for Comet 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 Significant 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 Comet Lake.