H B Norton dam
H B Norton
H B Norton is a vital water resource infrastructure located in Elk, Pennsylvania, specifically in Ridgway Township. Constructed in 1932, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 900 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1450 acre-feet. It serves the primary purpose of water supply and also facilitates recreation activities in the area. The dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a drainage area of 30.1 square miles and a surface area of 80 acres, H B Norton plays a crucial role in managing the water resources of the region. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition, as assessed during the last inspection in October 2020. Over the years, it has undergone modifications in 2003 and 2011 to enhance its hydraulic and structural aspects. The dam is equipped with outlet gates and has a normal storage capacity of 835 acre-feet, contributing to the water supply needs of the local community.
Managed by the local government, H B Norton is a key asset in safeguarding the water supply and supporting recreational activities along Big Mill Creek. With its strategic location and historical significance, this earth dam continues to serve its primary purpose efficiently while adhering to state regulations and inspection protocols. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this infrastructure symbolizes the harmony between human development and environmental stewardship in sustaining vital water sources for future generations.
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 H B Norton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clarion River At Ridgway | 2,880 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Johnsonburg | 842 cfs | → |
| West Branch Clarion River At Wilcox | 225 cfs | → |
| Eb Clarion River At Eb Clarion River Dam | 244 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile Run Near Rasselas | 18 cfs | → |
| Tionesta Creek At Lynch | 559 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near H B Norton.
Boat launches
- Irwin Run Canoe Launch
- Little Toby Creek
- Instanter Boat Launch
- Treasure Lake Road 15351, Sandy Township
- Treasure Lake Road 16311, Sandy Township
- Kyle Lake
Campgrounds
- Red Mill
- Kelly Pines Campground
- Twin Lakes Rec Area
- East Branch Lake
- Clarion River Campsites
- Loleta Recreation Area
Paddle runs
Track H B Norton 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 H B Norton
Where does the data for H B Norton 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 H B Norton.