Washington No 3 dam
Washington No 3
Washington No 3 is a historic earth dam located in North Franklin Township, Pennsylvania, along the TR Chartiers Creek. Built in 1895, this dam serves the primary purpose of grade stabilization and also provides opportunities for recreation. With a height of 48 feet and a storage capacity of 482 acre-feet, Washington No 3 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition. Its last inspection in December 2019 found it to be structurally sound. Despite its age, Washington No 3 continues to serve its intended purposes effectively, demonstrating the importance of proper maintenance and oversight for water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and support the upkeep of structures like Washington No 3 to ensure their continued functionality and safety. With its historical significance and ongoing role in water management and recreation, this dam serves as a valuable asset in the local ecosystem and a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of environmental 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 Washington No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 57 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 152 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Wheeling Creek At Elm Grove | 192 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 3,640 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 104 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washington No 3.
Boat launches
- Dutch Fork Lake (West Side)
- Canonsburg Lake
- Howard Street
- East Fredricktown
- Monongehela Aquatorium
- Elrama Street
Campgrounds
- Montour Trail - Boggs Trailhead Campsite
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Mason - Dixon Historical Park
Fishing spots
- Belmot Lake
- Belmont Lake
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Barnesville Lake #4
- Barnesville Lake
- Barnesville Reservoir Number Three
Paddle runs
Track Washington No 3 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 Washington No 3
Where does the data for Washington No 3 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 Washington No 3.