Pickering Creek dam
Pickering Creek
Pickering Creek, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned dam that serves as a crucial water supply source in the region. Built in 1928, this concrete dam stands at a height of 36 feet and has a length of 800 feet, with a storage capacity of 1713 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is water supply, and it is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Pickering Creek Dam is currently in fair condition, as per the last inspection in November 2020. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment details are not specified in the data. With a drainage area of 38.4 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 1143 acre-feet, the dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the area.
Ensuring the safety and maintenance of Pickering Creek Dam is crucial for water resource and climate enthusiasts, as it not only provides water supply but also helps regulate the flow of Pickering Creek. With its historical significance and environmental impact, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure in the region, highlighting the importance of proper management and upkeep to mitigate potential risks and ensure long-term sustainability.
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 Pickering Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Creek At Pa Turnpike Br Near Valley Forge | 28 cfs | → |
| French Creek Near Phoenixville | 18 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Norristown | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Perkiomen Creek At Graterford | 214 cfs | → |
| East Branch Perkiomen Creek Near Schwenksville | 40 cfs | → |
| Crum Creek Near Newtown Square | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pickering Creek.
Boat launches
- Phoenixville
- Arcola Rd 3506, Lower Providence Township
- Betzwood
- Spring City
- Limerick Township
- Norristown Riverfront Park
Campgrounds
- Camp Laughing Waters
- Camp Green Lane
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- Camp Sumney
- Camp Delmont
- Nelson Training Center
Fishing spots
Track Pickering Creek 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 Pickering Creek
Where does the data for Pickering Creek 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 Pickering Creek.