Spring Mill dam
Spring Mill
Spring Mill is a vital water resource located in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, providing water supply for the surrounding area. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at 27 feet tall and stretches 235 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 269 acre-feet. Situated on Spring Creek, the dam serves as a crucial infrastructure regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring its safety and efficiency in water management.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Spring Mill is considered a reliable water source for the region, with a drainage area of 2.9 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 230 acre-feet. The dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in January 2020, indicating a commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. As a key asset for water supply purposes, Spring Mill plays a significant role in sustaining the local ecosystem and meeting the needs of the community.
Managed by the local government, Spring Mill exemplifies the importance of proper water resource management in safeguarding against climate-related challenges. With its historical significance and functional design, this earth dam serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to protect water sources and ensure their sustainability for future generations. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, the preservation of Spring Mill is crucial in addressing the growing concerns of water scarcity and climate change impacts in the region.
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 Spring Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Creek At Allentown | 16 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Walnutport | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Jordan Creek Near Schnecksville | 47 cfs | → |
| Little Lehigh Creek At Tenth St. Br. At Allentown | 65 cfs | → |
| Little Lehigh Creek Near Allentown | 49 cfs | → |
| Monocacy Creek At Bethlehem | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Mill.
Boat launches
- Pa 145 North Whitehall Township
- Lehigh Street Walnutport
- Kimmett's Lock
- Lehigh Gap Access
- Canal Park
- Sand Island Access
Track Spring Mill 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 Spring Mill
Where does the data for Spring Mill 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 Spring Mill.