Kern Run (Pa-638) dam
Kern Run (Pa-638)
Located in Snyder, Pennsylvania, Kern Run (Pa-638) is a vital earth dam constructed in 1983 for the primary purpose of water supply. Managed by the local government and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam stands at a height of 61 feet and has a storage capacity of 1600 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 5.3 square miles, Kern Run serves to reduce flood risk and provide essential water resources to the surrounding community in Beaver Township.
Designed by AandE-Buchart and Horn Consulting Eng., Kern Run is categorized as a buttress dam with a surface area of 24 acres and a length of 1000 feet. The dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with a high hazard potential. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure, with the last inspection date recorded in June 2020. Despite its age, Kern Run continues to play a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As climate change impacts water resources and poses increased risks of extreme weather events, Kern Run remains a critical infrastructure for water supply and flood mitigation. With its regulatory oversight and maintenance procedures in place, the dam serves as a key component of the local water system, highlighting the importance of resilient infrastructure in adapting to changing environmental conditions. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of Kern Run in sustaining water security and managing flood risks underscores the necessity of proactive measures in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our water infrastructure.
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 Kern Run (Pa-638) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Penns Creek At Penns Creek | 235 cfs | → |
| East Mahantango Creek Near Dalmatia | 173 cfs | → |
| Juniata River At Newport | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Tuscarora Creek Near Port Royal | 393 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Sunbury | 19,300 cfs | → |
| Kishacoquillas Creek At Reedsville | 109 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kern Run (Pa-638).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Kern Run (Pa-638) 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 Kern Run (Pa-638)
Where does the data for Kern Run (Pa-638) 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 Kern Run (Pa-638).