Hidden Valley Pond No 1 dam
Hidden Valley Pond No 1
Hidden Valley Pond No 1, located in Somerset, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1987 for the primary purpose of irrigation. The dam stands at 21 feet high and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet and a surface area of 0.94 acres. Situated on Gross Run in Jefferson Township, this dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are managed effectively.
Despite its relatively small size, Hidden Valley Pond No 1 plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and irrigation for the surrounding area. With a drainage area of 0.22 square miles, the dam serves as a vital water resource for agricultural needs and maintains a normal storage capacity of 7 acre-feet. Its location within the Baltimore District and oversight by state regulatory agencies ensure that proper enforcement, inspection, and permitting processes are in place to safeguard the community from potential hazards and ensure the dam's continued functionality for years to come.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Hidden Valley Pond No 1 as a hidden gem in Pennsylvania's landscape, combining engineering ingenuity with environmental stewardship. Its role in supporting local agriculture, managing flood risks, and providing a critical water source underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate. As the dam continues to be monitored and maintained, it stands as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in creating resilient water systems for the future.
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 Hidden Valley Pond No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Linn Run At Linn Run State Park Near Rector | 11 cfs | → |
| Casselman River At Markleton | 248 cfs | → |
| Laurel Hill Creek At Ursina | 132 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River Below Confluence | 846 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Kingston | 203 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Youghiogheny River Dam | 403 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hidden Valley Pond No 1.
Boat launches
- Laurel Hill Lake
- Lake Donegal #2 - Lake Under Drawdown
- Lake Donegal #1 - Lake Under Drawdown
- Lake Somerset
Campgrounds
- Kooser State Park
- Laurel Hill State Park
- Camp Ligonier
- Paddler's Lane Campground
- Quemahoning Family Rec Area
- Kentuck Campground
Fishing spots
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Sand Spring Run
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Jennings Run
- Wills Creek
- Georges Creek
Track Hidden Valley Pond No 1 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 Hidden Valley Pond No 1
Where does the data for Hidden Valley Pond No 1 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 Hidden Valley Pond No 1.