Lonaconing Reservoir dam
Lonaconing Reservoir
Lonaconing Reservoir, also known as Lonaconing Water Treatment Plant No. 1, is a vital water supply infrastructure located in Allegany, Maryland. Constructed in 1895, this Earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 185 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.8 acres. The reservoir is primarily regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency and serves as a critical source of water for the city of Lonaconing, drawing from the Jackson Run river.
Despite its historical significance and essential role in water supply, the condition assessment of Lonaconing Reservoir is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential. The last inspection in August 2020 revealed the need for significant improvements to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. With a moderate risk level assigned, it is crucial for local authorities to prioritize maintenance and risk management measures to safeguard this key water resource. As a hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lonaconing Reservoir presents an opportunity for sustainable infrastructure development and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climatic conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lonaconing Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Georges Creek At Franklin | 26 cfs | → |
| Savage River Near Barton | 19 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Luke | 316 cfs | → |
| Savage Riv Bl Savage Riv Dam Near Bloomington | 58 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 244 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek Near Swanton | 154 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lonaconing Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Allegany County
- Springfield Pike Hampshire County
- South Access`
- North Access
- Gordon Lake Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Big Run State Park
- New Germany State Park Campground
- New Germany State Park
- Savage River State Forest Dispersed
- Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
- Robert W. Craig Memorial Campground
Fishing spots
- Georges Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
- Sand Spring Run
- Savage River Reservoir
- Frostburg Reservoir
- North Branch Potomac River
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Begins South Of Largent To The Confluence With The Potomac At Great Cacapon
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- The West Virginia 259 Bridge South Of Wardensville To Ends Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River
Track Lonaconing Reservoir in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lonaconing Reservoir
Where does the data for Lonaconing Reservoir come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lonaconing Reservoir.