Lake Pahagaco dam
Lake Pahagaco
Lake Pahagaco, located in York, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned recreational lake that serves as a popular destination for water enthusiasts. The dam, completed in 1956, stands at a height of 85 feet and has a length of 1127 feet, providing storage of up to 4908 acre-feet of water. With a surface area of 137 acres and a drainage area of 2.33 square miles, the lake offers ample space for various water activities.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Pahagaco is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with guidelines. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, but its current condition is assessed as fair. Despite this, the lake remains a popular spot for recreation, attracting visitors who enjoy fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. With its picturesque location in Jackson Township and proximity to the First Fork of Bunch Creek, Lake Pahagaco provides a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
While the lake's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) details may be lacking, its regular inspections and maintenance help to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the management of Lake Pahagaco will be crucial in preserving this valuable recreational asset for future generations. With its scenic views, ample storage capacity, and state-regulated oversight, Lake Pahagaco stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing environmental 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 Lake Pahagaco -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Codorus Creek At Spring Grove | 41 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek Near York | 200 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek At Pleasureville | 208 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls At Hoffmanville | 24 cfs | → |
| Bermudian Creek At Oxford Road Nr Heidlersburg | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Pahagaco.
Boat launches
- Codorus State Park Mooring Cove
- Codorus State Park Hidden Cove
- Codorus State Park Main Launch
- Marina Area, Codorus State Park
- Codorus State Park Smith Station Road
- Codorus State Park Wonder Cove
Campgrounds
- Camp Conewago - Boy Scouts Of America
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #7
- Primitive Campsite #4
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Lake Pahagaco 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 Lake Pahagaco
Where does the data for Lake Pahagaco 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 Lake Pahagaco.