Sun Mountain Lake dam
Sun Mountain Lake
Sun Mountain Lake, a private recreational water resource located in Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania, is regulated and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Completed in 1934, this stone dam stands at 12.5 feet high and spans 700 feet, with a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and a surface area of 14.5 acres. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy its serene surroundings and engage in various outdoor activities.
Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, Sun Mountain Lake is assessed to be in fair condition, with the last inspection conducted in December 2020. The dam has been modified in 2010 for hydraulic purposes, enhancing its safety and functionality. While emergency action plans and risk assessment details are currently unavailable, the dam's maintenance and regulatory oversight ensure the safety of its surrounding communities and the preservation of its natural beauty. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Sun Mountain Lake serves as a vital water resource for both locals and visitors seeking a harmonious connection with nature.
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 Sun Mountain Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brodhead Creek At Minisink Hills | 246 cfs | → |
| Yards Creek Near Blairstown Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 123 cfs | → |
| Brodhead Creek Near Analomink | 76 cfs | → |
| Pocono Creek Ab Wigwam Run Near Stroudsburg | 19 cfs | → |
| Paulins Kill At Blairstown Nj | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sun Mountain Lake.
Boat launches
- Poxono Access Area In Nj
- Kittatinny Access Area
- East Bangor Lake
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
- Lake Minisink
- West Shore Drive Stillwater Township
Track Sun Mountain 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 Sun Mountain Lake
Where does the data for Sun Mountain 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 Sun Mountain Lake.