Bradford City No 3 dam
Bradford City No 3
Bradford City No 3 is a key water supply dam located in McKean, Pennsylvania, completed in 1898 and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. With a height of 47 feet and a length of 770 feet, this Earth-type dam holds a storage capacity of 502 acre-feet and serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area. Situated on Marilla Brook in Bradford Township, this dam plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for the region.
Despite being assessed as having a high hazard potential, Bradford City No 3 is currently in satisfactory condition and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its integrity. In 2009, it underwent hydraulic modifications to enhance its functionality. The dam's emergency action plan status is not specified, but it is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to manage any potential risks effectively. Governed by local government authorities, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining water resources for climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Bradford City No 3 is crucial in highlighting the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and environmental stewardship. With its historical significance and ongoing role in water supply management, this dam serves as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness between human development and natural resource conservation. As we navigate the challenges of climate change, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of such crucial water infrastructure will be essential for safeguarding our communities and ecosystems for the future.
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 Bradford City No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kinzua Creek Near Guffey | 92 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Salamanca Ny | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Kinzua Dam | 3,820 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Eldred | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Conewango Creek At Russell | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River Bl Conewango Creek At Warren | 5,920 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bradford City No 3.
Boat launches
- Sugar Run Road Corydon Township
- Quaker Lake Boat Launch
- Allegany State Park Town Of Coldspring
- Willow Bay Boat Ramp
- Asp Rte 1 Cattaraugus County
- Front Avenue 494, Salamanca
Track Bradford City No 3 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 Bradford City No 3
Where does the data for Bradford City No 3 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 Bradford City No 3.