Lost Creek dam
Lost Creek
Lost Creek, located in Somerset, Pennsylvania, is a private dam regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a length of 315 feet, providing recreational opportunities in the area. The dam has a storage capacity of 270 acre-feet and serves as a significant water resource for the region, with a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2018.
With a drainage area of 3 square miles, Lost Creek plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing flood protection in Middlecreek Township. Despite its fair condition, the dam is considered to have a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam underwent structural modifications in 2014, ensuring its continued functionality and safety for both recreational users and surrounding communities.
Lost Creek is a vital part of the local landscape, offering not only recreational opportunities but also serving as a key water management infrastructure in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper regulation and maintenance of dams like Lost Creek are essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water supply. The collaboration between private owners, state agencies, and regulatory bodies is crucial in managing and protecting these important water resources for future generations.
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 Lost Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Casselman River At Markleton | 147 cfs | → |
| Laurel Hill Creek At Ursina | 74 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River Below Confluence | 761 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Youghiogheny River Dam | 464 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 726 cfs | → |
| Linn Run At Linn Run State Park Near Rector | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lost Creek.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Laurel Hill State Park
- Kooser State Park
- Paddler's Lane Campground
- Outflow - Youghiogheny River Lake
- Kentuck Campground
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
Fishing spots
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Sand Spring Run
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Jennings Run
- Georges Creek
- Wills Creek
Track Lost 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 Lost Creek
Where does the data for Lost 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 Significant 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 Lost Creek.