Olympus Lake

PINE CREEK· Luzerne, Pennsylvania· Built 1937· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Olympus Lake is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 52.7% in PA)
Dam Length265 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage124 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDPA00543

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 28, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

YMCA OF WILKES-BARRE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Olympus Lake?

Olympus Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Olympus Lake?

Olympus Lake is owned by YMCA OF WILKES-BARRE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Olympus Lake built?

Olympus Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Olympus Lake?

Olympus 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 Olympus Lake?

Olympus Lake has a dam height of 24 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 Olympus Lake last inspected?

Olympus Lake was last inspected on June 28, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.