York Haven Headrace dam
York Haven Headrace
The York Haven Headrace is a historic stone dam located on the Susquehanna River in Bainbridge, Pennsylvania. Built in 1904, this hydroelectric structure serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 3500 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 7800 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1490 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the York Haven Headrace has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, the dam's condition assessment is not available. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 3000 feet, and the maximum discharge capacity reaches 350,000 cubic feet per second. The dam is associated with two other structures and is located within the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find the York Haven Headrace an intriguing site due to its historical significance, multiple purposes, and unique design features. The dam's location on the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, offers opportunities for both recreational activities and water supply management. As a key player in the hydroelectric power generation industry, the York Haven Headrace stands as a testament to the intersection of human innovation and environmental stewardship in the management of our water resources.
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 York Haven Headrace -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Conewago Creek Near Manchester | 143 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek At Pleasureville | 208 cfs | → |
| Conewago Creek Near Bellaire | 10 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Marietta | 27,200 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek Near York | 200 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near York Haven Headrace .
Track York Haven Headrace 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 York Haven Headrace
Where does the data for York Haven Headrace 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 Low 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 York Haven Headrace .