Deer Lake
Key Takeaway
Deer Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1906 and is 120 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 | 15 ft (taller than 27.6% in PA) |
| Dam Length | 547 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 543 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 359 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 60 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
| NID ID | PA01139 |
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
DEER LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Deer Lake?
Deer 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 Deer Lake?
Deer Lake is owned by DEER LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Deer Lake built?
Deer Lake was completed in 1906, making it 120 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 Deer Lake?
Deer 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 Deer Lake?
Deer Lake has a dam height of 15 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 Deer Lake last inspected?
Deer Lake was last inspected on October 27, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.