Westcolang Lake

WESTCOLANG CREEK· Pike, Pennsylvania· Built 1912· Earth· 13 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Westcolang Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 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	13 ft (taller than 21.2% in PA)
Dam Length	120 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.3K acre-ft

Surface Area	219 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
Year Completed	1912 (114 years old)
NID ID	PA00396

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: August 21, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

WESTCOLANG LAKE ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Fawn Lake

Pike, PA

High Hazard 41 ft

Forest Lake

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Low Hazard 8 ft

Huggy Bear Lake

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Significant Hazard 11 ft

Rock Lake Dam

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Low Hazard 7 ft

Cobey Pond

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Caputo

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Lake La Barr Dam

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Hirsch

Pike, PA

Low Hazard 16 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Westcolang Lake?

Westcolang 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 Westcolang Lake?

Westcolang Lake is owned by WESTCOLANG LAKE ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Westcolang Lake built?

Westcolang Lake was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Westcolang Lake?

Westcolang 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 Westcolang Lake?

Westcolang Lake has a dam height of 13 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 Westcolang Lake last inspected?

Westcolang Lake was last inspected on August 21, 2020. 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.