Dehart dam
Dehart
Dehart, also known as Clarks Valley Reservoir, is a local government-owned water supply dam located in Rush Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 105 feet and was completed in 1940. With a storage capacity of 30,800 acre-feet and a surface area of 592 acres, Dehart plays a crucial role in providing water to the surrounding areas.
Despite its important function, Dehart has a high hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition. The dam has a history of modifications in 2009 and 2010, indicating ongoing efforts to maintain and improve its structural integrity. The last inspection was conducted in December 2020, with a frequency of one inspection per year. It is imperative for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor the condition of Dehart and support necessary risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of this vital water supply infrastructure.
As a key component of the water supply system in the region, Dehart serves as a critical resource for water management and flood control along Clarks Creek. With its significant storage capacity and strategic location, the dam not only supports the water needs of the community but also helps mitigate potential risks associated with flooding and water scarcity. As discussions around climate change and sustainable water resource management continue to evolve, the importance of maintaining and enhancing infrastructure like Dehart becomes increasingly evident for ensuring a resilient and secure water future.
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 Dehart -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swatara Creek At Harper Tavern | 197 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek Near Inwood | 143 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek Near Hershey | 351 cfs | → |
| Paxton Creek Near Glenwood | 5 cfs | → |
| Quittapahilla Creek Near Bellegrove | 93 cfs | → |
| East Mahantango Creek Near Dalmatia | 173 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dehart.
Boat launches
- Church Road
- Day Use Access
- Halifax Boro
- Boathouse Park
- Pfbc Fort Hunter Boat Launch
- Montgomery Ferry Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Streamside Campsite
- Forest Campsite With Stream
- Forest Campsite (No Water)
- Blue Mountain Campsite
- Stoevers Dam Park
- Echo Valley Campground
More reservoirs
Track Dehart 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 Dehart
Where does the data for Dehart 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 Dehart.