Norristown (Swede Street) dam
Norristown (Swede Street)
Norristown (Swede Street) is a historic dam located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, along the Schuylkill River. Built in 1800, this timber crib dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 900 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2,355 acre-feet. While primarily serving a recreational purpose, the dam is also regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring its safe operation and maintenance.
Despite its age, Norristown (Swede Street) is deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition according to the most recent inspection in June 2018. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are currently unspecified, but its construction and design fall under the jurisdiction of the local government. With a location in Norristown Borough and under the ownership of the same, this dam plays a significant role in the local water resource management and offers opportunities for recreational activities in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Norristown (Swede Street) presents a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. Its presence along the Schuylkill River contributes to the water supply and recreational landscape of the region, showcasing the importance of well-maintained infrastructure for both public enjoyment and safety. As part of the larger network of dams in Pennsylvania, Norristown (Swede Street) stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water management efforts and the ongoing commitment to sustainable practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Norristown (Swede Street) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill River At Norristown | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek At Pa Turnpike Br Near Valley Forge | 28 cfs | → |
| Wissahickon Creek At Fort Washington | 35 cfs | → |
| Perkiomen Creek At Graterford | 214 cfs | → |
| Wissahickon Creek At Mouth | 57 cfs | → |
| Cobbs Cr At U.S. Hghwy No. 1 At Philadelphia | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norristown (Swede Street).
Boat launches
- Norristown Riverfront Park
- Betzwood
- Arcola Rd 3506, Lower Providence Township
- Phoenixville
- Spring City
- Limerick Township
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Norristown (Swede Street) 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 Norristown (Swede Street)
Where does the data for Norristown (Swede Street) 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 Norristown (Swede Street).