Middle Creek dam
Middle Creek
Middle Creek is a state-regulated dam located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, specifically in Clay Township. Completed in 1971, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a height of 18 feet with a length of 500 feet. With a storage capacity of 3030 acre-feet, Middle Creek covers a surface area of 365 acres and drains a 7.4 square mile watershed.
Despite its vital role in providing recreational opportunities, Middle Creek poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam is inspected annually, with the most recent inspection conducted in March 2021. It is crucial to address the maintenance and safety concerns associated with Middle Creek to ensure the protection of downstream communities and the preservation of the surrounding environment.
With its significant storage capacity and location in a populated area, Middle Creek serves as a crucial water resource for the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, it is essential to prioritize the upkeep and improvement of dams like Middle Creek to mitigate risks and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
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 Middle Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Bernville | 73 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Cr At Blue Marsh Damsite Near Reading | 126 cfs | → |
| Conestoga River At Lancaster | 159 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Reading | 152 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Reading | 831 cfs | → |
| Quittapahilla Creek Near Bellegrove | 93 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Creek.
Boat launches
- Middle Creek Lake
- Speedwell Forge Lake - May Not Be Usable
- Lakeside Quarry
- Stone Quarry Road 101, Lancaster County
- Stover's Dam
Campgrounds
- Refreshing Mountain Retreat And Adventure Center
- Camp Conquest
- Shady Oaks Family Campground
- Red Run Campground
- Stoevers Dam Park
- Hertein Campsite
More reservoirs
Track Middle 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 Middle Creek
Where does the data for Middle 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 Middle Creek.