Blue Marsh Dam dam
Blue Marsh Dam
Blue Marsh Dam, located in Reading, Pennsylvania, was completed in 1977 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Standing at a structural height of 100 feet and with a hydraulic height of 94 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting downstream communities such as Reading, Birdsboro, Pottstown, and Philadelphia from potential flooding events. With a storage capacity of 129,900 acre-feet and a drainage area of 175 square miles, the dam can handle a maximum discharge of 70,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a "Moderate" risk level, the US Army Corps of Engineers implements rigorous risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of Blue Marsh Dam. Regular inspections, monitoring, and maintenance are conducted to identify any signs of deterioration or potential issues. Emergency repair materials are stocked nearby in case of dam seepage, and staff closely monitor weather forecasts to prepare for possible flood events. Additionally, the Corps collaborates with state and county emergency management officials to conduct emergency exercises and ensure a coordinated response in case of an emergency.
The risk assessment for Blue Marsh Dam is based on the potential for the reservoir level to rise high enough during intense rainfall events, potentially causing erosion that could lead to a breach and subsequent flooding downstream. By closely monitoring the dam's performance and implementing proactive measures, the US Army Corps of Engineers is dedicated to safeguarding the surrounding communities and ensuring the structural integrity of Blue Marsh Dam.
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 Blue Marsh Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tulpehocken Cr At Blue Marsh Damsite Near Reading | 70 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Reading | 94 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Reading | 641 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Bernville | 63 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Berne | 713 cfs | → |
| Maiden Creek Near Virginville | 70 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Marsh Dam.
Boat launches
- Epler's Landing
- Sheidy Road
- Wall Street Leesport
- Reading Riverfront Park
- Kaercher Creek
- Middle Creek Lake
Track Blue Marsh Dam 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 Blue Marsh Dam
Where does the data for Blue Marsh Dam 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 Blue Marsh Dam.