Longford Lake dam
Longford Lake
Longford Lake, located in Silver Lake Township, Pennsylvania, is a private water resource regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The dam, completed in 1974, stands at a height of 37 feet and has a length of 878 feet, creating a surface area of 24 acres with a maximum storage capacity of 355 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Longford Lake is for recreational activities, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and enjoying the natural surroundings.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, Longford Lake is carefully inspected on a regular basis, with the last inspection occurring in November 2020. The dam is designed as an earth structure with buttress core types, serving as a crucial component for flood control and water management in the region. Despite its age, Longford Lake continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities for visitors while maintaining safety standards and environmental regulations.
Water and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Longford Lake not only as a recreational destination but as a key infrastructure for water resource management in Susquehanna County. As a privately owned water resource, it plays a critical role in balancing the needs of both human recreation and environmental conservation. With its long history of service and ongoing regulatory oversight, Longford Lake stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands on our natural resources.
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 Longford Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choconut Creek Near Choconut | 18 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Conklin Ny | 2,380 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Vestal Ny | 4,140 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Owego Ny | 4,030 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Windsor Ny | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Wappasening Creek Near Windham Center | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Longford Lake.
Boat launches
- Quaker Lake
- Old Vestal Road 2413, Vestal Town
- Great Bend Boro Access
- Great Bend Twp/Hallstead
- Susquehanna River
- Cook's Pond
Campgrounds
- Salt Springs State Park
- East Lake Campground
- Hickories Park
- Chenango Valley State Park
- Sky Lake Camp And Retreat Center
- Greenwood County Park
More reservoirs
Track Longford 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 Longford Lake
Where does the data for Longford 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 Longford Lake.