Lake Susquehanna

Lake Susquehanna is an earth dam located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Lake Susquehanna

The primary purpose of Lake Susquehanna is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Eagle Rock Community Association (private). It impounds the Little Sugarloaf Creek.

The dam stands 51 feet tall and stretches 1,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 44 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 895 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1973, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/10/2020.

At 51 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Pennsylvania dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StatePennsylvania
CountyLuzerne
River/StreamLittle Sugarloaf Creek
Coordinates40.92889, -76.12361

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height51 ft
Dam Height51 ft
Dam Length1,800 ft
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage895 acre-ft
Max Storage895 acre-ft
Normal Storage614 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerEAGLE ROCK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection11/10/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDPA00818
Federal IDPA00818
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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