Blue Marsh Dam - Dikes A And B dam
Blue Marsh Dam - Dikes A And B
Blue Marsh Dam - Dikes A and B in Berks County, Pennsylvania, is a federal-owned structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk reduction along Plum Creek. Completed in 1977, the dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 600 feet, with a storage capacity of 129,900 acre-feet. While the primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction, it also serves recreation and water supply functions for the surrounding area.
The dam, constructed with stone core and rock foundations, has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections and emergency action planning. USACE actively manages dam-related flood risks by monitoring its condition, prioritizing risk-reduction activities, and engaging with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and prepare for potential emergencies. The agency also updates the emergency action plan regularly and conducts maintenance and repairs as needed to ensure the dam's structural integrity.
Despite the risks associated with dam operations, USACE emphasizes the importance of community preparedness and cooperation in managing potential emergencies. By working closely with local authorities and continuously monitoring the dam's health, USACE aims to mitigate flood risks and ensure the safety of residents in the event of a dam-related incident.
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 - Dikes A And B -- 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 - Dikes A And B.
Boat launches
- Epler's Landing
- Sheidy Road
- Wall Street Leesport
- Reading Riverfront Park
- Kaercher Creek
- Middle Creek Lake
Track Blue Marsh Dam - Dikes A And B 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 - Dikes A And B
Where does the data for Blue Marsh Dam - Dikes A And B 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 - Dikes A And B.