Shawnee Lake dam
Shawnee Lake
Shawnee Lake, located in Bedford, Pennsylvania, is a state-owned reservoir managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Built in 1950 for flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands at 56 feet tall and spans 900 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 25,250 acre-feet. The lake also serves as a recreational area, offering a surface area of 450 acres for outdoor activities.
Despite its primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Shawnee Lake also provides opportunities for recreation, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With a fair condition assessment and a high hazard potential, the dam is closely monitored by state regulators, who conduct regular inspections to ensure its safety. The reservoir is situated in Napier Township, along the TR RAYSTOWN BR JUNIATA RIVER, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Shawnee Lake remains an essential water resource in Pennsylvania, offering both flood protection and recreational opportunities to the local community. As a state-regulated facility with a significant hazard potential, the reservoir plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. With its picturesque surroundings and diverse functions, Shawnee Lake continues to be a valuable asset for residents and visitors alike.
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 Shawnee Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raystown Branch Juniata River At Wolfsburg | 920 cfs | → |
| Dunning Creek At Belden | 48 cfs | → |
| Wills Creek Below Hyndman | 46 cfs | → |
| Raystown Branch Juniata River At Saxton | 222 cfs | → |
| Stonycreek River At Ferndale | 316 cfs | → |
| Little Conemaugh River At East Conemaugh | 97 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shawnee Lake.
Boat launches
- #2 Picnic Area Access
- Kegg Run Launch Area
- Colvin Access
- Fort Bedford Museum
- Woy Bridge Campground
- Koon Lake Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Shellbark Campground
- Shawnee State Park
- Organized Group Tenting
- Blue Knob State Park
- Quemahoning Family Rec Area
- Adams Croyle
Fishing spots
Track Shawnee 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 Shawnee Lake
Where does the data for Shawnee 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 Shawnee Lake.