Lake May (Section F) dam
Lake May (Section F)
Lake May (Section F) is a picturesque water resource located in Liberty Township, Adams, Pennsylvania. Managed by the local government, this earth dam structure was completed in 1967 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a dam height of 22 feet and a storage capacity of 271 acre-feet, the lake covers a surface area of 24 acres and is fed by Toms Creek.
Despite its serene appearance, Lake May poses a high hazard potential due to its condition being assessed as fair. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. A recent structural modification in 2010 further enhances its reliability, although the dam's hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake May (Section F) a captivating destination for recreation and appreciation of natural beauty. As a regulated water body in Pennsylvania, its management and maintenance reflect a commitment to safeguarding both the environment and public safety. With its rich history and ongoing efforts to address potential risks, Lake May exemplifies the balance between human enjoyment and responsible stewardship of water resources 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 Lake May (Section F) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Monocacy River At Bridgeport | 28 cfs | → |
| Big Pipe Creek At Bruceville | 25 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Waynesboro | 39 cfs | → |
| Bermudian Creek At Oxford Road Nr Heidlersburg | 4 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek Near Pine Grove Furnace | 8 cfs | → |
| Monocacy River At Monocacy Blvd At Frederick | 156 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake May (Section F).
Boat launches
- Catoctin Hollow Road 13916, Frederick County
- Long Pine
- Big Red Trail Mount Lena
- Long Arm Dam, Lawrence B. Sheppard Reservoir
- Frederick
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Capital Camps & Retreat Center
- Adirondack Shelters Camping Area
- Poplar Grove I Group Camping Area
- Owens Creek Campground
- Poplar Grove Ii Group Camping Area
- Camp Greentop
Track Lake May (Section F) 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 May (Section F)
Where does the data for Lake May (Section F) 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 May (Section F).