Colver dam
Colver
Colver is a significant dam located in Cambria Township, Pennsylvania, along the North Branch Black Lick Creek. Built in 1994, it stands at a height of 52 feet and stretches 1200 feet in length, serving as a crucial water supply source with a storage capacity of 2263 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is water supply, contributing to the normal storage of 1309 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 76.4 acres within a drainage area of 5.3 square miles.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Colver is designated as a state-regulated dam, undergoing regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition. Its inspection frequency is set at once per year, with the last inspection conducted in October 2019. The dam's location and design, featuring an earth core with buttress foundations, highlight its importance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential risks associated with its operation.
Colver's presence underscores the critical role of infrastructure in water resource management, offering valuable insights for climate and water enthusiasts. The dam's strategic positioning within the Pittsburgh District and its regulation by state authorities demonstrate a proactive approach towards maintaining water supply infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, Colver serves as a key example of sustainable water resource management through effective dam construction and regulatory oversight. Its contribution to local water supply needs and environmental sustainability emphasize the importance of responsible infrastructure development in shaping resilient communities in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Colver -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conemaugh River At Seward | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Little Conemaugh River At East Conemaugh | 97 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Homer City | 64 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Minersville | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Two Lick Creek At Graceton | 142 cfs | → |
| Stonycreek River At Ferndale | 1,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Colver.
Boat launches
- Vetera Dam
- Duman Dam
- Lake Rowena
- Wilmore Dam
- Yellow Creek State Park
- Range Road Boat Launch White Township
Campgrounds
- Duman Lake County Park
- Nanty Glo Municipal Park
- Prince Gallitzin State Park
- Stefan's Campsite
- Adams Croyle
- Lorain Borough Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Colver 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 Colver
Where does the data for Colver 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 Colver.