Tionesta Dam dam
Tionesta Dam
Tionesta Dam, also known as Tionesta Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Tionesta, Pennsylvania, along Tionesta Creek. Built in 1940 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the primary purpose of this Earth dam is flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for fish and wildlife pond creation and recreational activities. The dam has a hydraulic height of 142 feet and a structural height of 154 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 180,000 acre-feet with a normal storage of 7,800 acre-feet across a surface area of 480 acres.
This high-hazard dam is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and various outlet gates for water release management. The US Army Corps of Engineers continuously monitors and manages the dam's condition to mitigate flood risks, collaborating with local emergency managers and the public to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies. Regular maintenance and repair work are conducted to uphold the integrity of the dam and its operational efficiency, reflecting the commitment to safeguarding the surrounding communities and environment from potential flooding events.
As part of the risk management measures, the US Army Corps of Engineers actively engages in updating the emergency action plan, conducting risk assessments, and working with local authorities to enhance awareness and readiness in case of a dam-related emergency. By prioritizing activities that minimize risks and coordinating with stakeholders, the agency strives to maintain the dam's safety and functionality while addressing the diverse challenges posed by severe weather events and fluctuating water levels.
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 Tionesta Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tionesta Creek At Tionesta Creek Dam | 883 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At West Hickory | 7,060 cfs | → |
| Oil Creek At Rouseville | 492 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Cooksburg | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Clarion River Near Piney | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Franklin | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tionesta Dam.
Boat launches
- Tionesta Sand &Amp; Gravel
- Nebraska
- West Hickory Access
- The Branch Road Kingsley Township
- Tidioute Borough
- Oil City
Campgrounds
- Tionesta Rec Area - Tionesta Lake
- Kellettville Rec Area Tionesta Lake
- East Fork Campsite
- Rock Table Lower Site
- Rock Table Site
- Cicely Campsite
Paddle runs
Track Tionesta Dam 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 Tionesta Dam
Where does the data for Tionesta Dam 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 Tionesta Dam.