Little Blue Run dam
Little Blue Run
Little Blue Run, located in Greene Township, Pennsylvania, is a privately-owned rockfill dam with a staggering height of 400 feet and a length of 2100 feet. Completed in 1977, this dam serves multiple purposes, with a storage capacity of 73,000 acre-feet of water. The dam's primary function is listed as "Other," and it is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, with frequent inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Little Blue Run has been assessed to be in fair condition. The dam underwent modifications in 2005 and 2007 to enhance its hydraulic capabilities. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 2.9 square miles and a surface area of 770 acres, making it a significant water resource in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. With a normal storage capacity of 64,754 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam's location near the Little Blue Run river and its association with the Pittsburgh District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlight its importance in flood control and water management efforts. The presence of Conor Lamb as the local congressional representative underscores the political significance of this water resource. Climate and water enthusiasts interested in the management and regulation of dams will find Little Blue Run to be a compelling case study in the intersection of environmental protection, infrastructure development, and public safety.
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 Little Blue Run -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 334 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 68 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 64 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Beaver Falls | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 18 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 20,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Blue Run.
Track Little Blue Run 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 Little Blue Run
Where does the data for Little Blue Run 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 Little Blue Run.