Upper Castanea Reservoir dam
Upper Castanea Reservoir
Upper Castanea Reservoir, located in Castanea Township, Pennsylvania, is a vital water supply resource managed by the local government. With a history dating back to 1869, this Earth-type dam stands at 30 feet in height and stretches 274 feet in length, containing a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 2.2 acres and serves the primary purpose of supplying water to the surrounding area, drawing from the watershed of Harveys Run.
Despite its age, Upper Castanea Reservoir has undergone modifications in 1984 to ensure its structural integrity. However, recent inspections have deemed its condition unsatisfactory, highlighting a high hazard potential. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulates the reservoir, conducting state inspections and enforcing compliance measures to mitigate risks. With its location in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, the reservoir plays a crucial role in supplying water to the region while facing challenges to maintain its safety and efficiency in the face of changing climate conditions.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Upper Castanea Reservoir a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental regulation, and community water needs. The reservoir's historical significance, coupled with its current challenges in maintenance and risk management, underscores the importance of proactive measures in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of vital water supply systems in the face of evolving climate patterns and infrastructure demands. As stakeholders work towards addressing the reservoir's safety concerns and enhancing its operational capacity, the story of Upper Castanea Reservoir serves as a compelling example of the intricate balance between water resource management and climate adaptation in a changing world.
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 Upper Castanea Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wb Susquehanna River At Lock Haven | 3,430 cfs | → |
| Bald Eagle Creek Near Beech Creek Station | 433 cfs | → |
| Marsh Creek At Blanchard | 18 cfs | → |
| Bald Eagle Creek At Blanchard | 318 cfs | → |
| Wb Susquehanna River At Jersey Shore | 5,490 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Bl L Pine Creek Near Waterville | 925 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Castanea Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ravensburg State Park
- Bonnell Flats
- Bald Eagle State Forest Campsite #7
- Krislund Camp And Conference Center
- Rb Winter State Park
- Little Pine State Park
Track Upper Castanea 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 Upper Castanea Reservoir
Where does the data for Upper Castanea 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 Upper Castanea Reservoir.