Upper dam
Upper
Upper is a private dam located in Northampton, Pennsylvania, along the Bushkill Creek. Built in 1917, this concrete dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 200 feet. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and serving primarily for recreation purposes, Upper is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential.
Located in Easton City, Upper is a key structure in the region, providing not only recreational opportunities but also contributing to the overall water resource management in the area. With a drainage area of 75.1 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels and quality of the Bushkill Creek. Despite its age, Upper continues to meet regulatory standards and is well-maintained to prevent any potential risks or emergencies.
With a history dating back over a century, Upper stands as a testament to the engineering prowess of its time. As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, this dam not only offers recreational benefits but also serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and regulation in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources. As climate change continues to impact our environment, structures like Upper play a crucial role in managing water resources effectively and responsibly.
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 Upper -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lehigh River At Glendon | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Bushkill Creek Ab Rt 33 Bridge At Tatamy | 77 cfs | → |
| Monocacy Creek At Bethlehem | 30 cfs | → |
| Musconetcong River Near Bloomsbury Nj | 116 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Bethlehem | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Belvidere Nj | 5,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper.
Track Upper 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 Upper
Where does the data for Upper 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 Upper.