Kyle dam
Kyle
Kyle, a state-owned earth dam in Jefferson, Pennsylvania, is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and serves as a recreational water resource on Kyle Run. Built in 1910 with a height of 33 feet and a length of 1000 feet, it has a storage capacity of 2300 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 138 acres. The dam is located in Washington Township and falls under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh District.
Despite being categorized as having a high hazard potential, Kyle's condition assessment is deemed satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in October 2020. While the dam meets regulatory requirements and undergoes regular inspections, there is no Emergency Action Plan in place. The primary purpose of Kyle is recreation, and it continues to provide opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kyle represents a historical and practical example of dam infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Its role in providing recreational opportunities while managing water flow highlights the importance of maintaining and regulating such structures to ensure safety and efficiency. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding the management and condition of dams like Kyle becomes crucial for sustainable water use and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Kyle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redbank Creek At Brookville | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Mahoning Creek At Punxsutawney | 400 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Ridgway | 2,880 cfs | → |
| West Branch Susquehanna River At Bower | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Wb Susquehanna River Near Curwensville | 1,200 cfs | → |
| West Branch Susquehanna River At Hyde | 1,550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kyle.
Boat launches
- Kyle Lake
- Treasure Lake Road 15351, Sandy Township
- Treasure Lake Road 16311, Sandy Township
- Little Toby Creek
- Cloe
- Irwin Run Canoe Launch
Campgrounds
- Boy Scount Camp
- S.B. Elliott State Park
- Clear Creek State Park
- Parker Dam State Park
- Clarion River Campsites
- Loleta Rec Area
Paddle runs
Track Kyle 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 Kyle
Where does the data for Kyle 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 Kyle.