Cross Creek (Pa-662) dam
Cross Creek (Pa-662)
Cross Creek (Pa-662) is a local government-owned earth dam located in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1983 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 50 feet and has a length of 470 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR South Fork Cross Creek. With a maximum storage capacity of 1420 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3.72 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flood hazards.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Cross Creek (Pa-662) is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as satisfactory and meets the necessary guidelines for emergency action preparedness. The last inspection conducted in November 2020 confirmed the dam's condition and highlighted its vital role in mitigating flood risks in the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Cross Creek (Pa-662) as a key infrastructure for flood risk reduction and watershed management in Pennsylvania.
With its strategic location and design, Cross Creek (Pa-662) serves as a critical component in the flood control infrastructure of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Supported by state regulatory agencies and the USDA NRCS, this earth dam not only reduces flood risks but also provides essential storage capacity for the surrounding area. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of structures like Cross Creek (Pa-662) in managing and mitigating potential flooding events becomes increasingly evident, making it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Cross Creek (Pa-662) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 23 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 152 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 104 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 26,800 cfs | → |
| Wheeling Creek At Elm Grove | 192 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cross Creek (Pa-662).
Boat launches
- Dutch Fork Lake (West Side)
- Canonsburg Lake
- Raccoon State Park
- Newburg Landing
- Chestnut Street
- B &Amp; L Marina
Campgrounds
- Montour Trail - Boggs Trailhead Campsite
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Jefferson Lake State Park
Track Cross Creek (Pa-662) 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 Cross Creek (Pa-662)
Where does the data for Cross Creek (Pa-662) 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 Cross Creek (Pa-662).