Beech Mountain Lake
Key Takeaway
Beech Mountain Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 29 ft (taller than 63.4% in PA) |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 2.4K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.5K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 154 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
| NID ID | PA00568 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
BEECH MOUNTAIN LAKES ASSOCIATION, INC.
Private
Nearby Dams
Jeddo Coal CO - Jeddo #8 Prep Plant
Luzerne, PA
Low Hazard 20 ftLake Blytheburn
Luzerne, PA
High Hazard 9 ftIce Pond
Luzerne, PA
Significant Hazard 13 ftBlue Giant Meadow
Luzerne, PA
Significant Hazard 12 ftOlympus Lake
Luzerne, PA
Low Hazard 24 ftG
Luzerne, PA
Significant Hazard 25 ftF
Luzerne, PA
High Hazard 43 ftLake Irena
Luzerne, PA
Significant Hazard 24 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Beech Mountain Lake?
Beech Mountain Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Beech Mountain Lake?
Beech Mountain Lake is owned by BEECH MOUNTAIN LAKES ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Beech Mountain Lake built?
Beech Mountain Lake was completed in 1966, making it 60 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Beech Mountain Lake?
Beech Mountain Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Beech Mountain Lake?
Beech Mountain Lake has a dam height of 29 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Beech Mountain Lake last inspected?
Beech Mountain Lake was last inspected on October 13, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.