Lakeshore dam
Lakeshore
Lakeshore, located in Fairview Township, Erie, Pennsylvania, is a privately-owned recreational dam constructed in 1932 with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities. The dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 250 feet, creating a surface area of 5 acres and a storage capacity of 62.5 acre-feet. Despite its age, Lakeshore's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a significant hazard potential, indicating a need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Lakeshore is regulated, inspected, and permitted by the state to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. However, with no recent condition assessment available and a poor rating, there is cause for concern regarding the dam's structural integrity. The dam's location on TR Lake Erie adds to its importance in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts, making it crucial to prioritize its maintenance and potential rehabilitation to mitigate risks and safeguard this vital water resource.
As a key feature in the Pittsburgh District's water infrastructure, Lakeshore's significance extends beyond its recreational value, highlighting the interconnectedness of water resources and climate resilience. With the dam's risk factors and poor condition, there is an urgent need for proactive measures to address potential hazards, ensure public safety, and protect the surrounding environment. Collaboration between stakeholders, regulators, and the private owner is essential to secure the future of Lakeshore and uphold its role in sustainable water management practices.
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 Lakeshore -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek Upstream Pool | 49 cfs | → |
| Brandy Run Near Girard | 6 cfs | → |
| French Creek Near Union City | 678 cfs | → |
| Conneaut Creek At Conneaut Oh | 937 cfs | → |
| French Creek Near Wattsburg | 167 cfs | → |
| Woodcock Creek At Woodcock Creek Dam | 68 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lakeshore.
Boat launches
- Walnut Creek
- Fairview Gravel Pit
- Vista Launch
- Niagra Launch
- Bay Harbor Public Ramp
- Chestnut Street Boat Ramp
Track Lakeshore 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 Lakeshore
Where does the data for Lakeshore 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 Significant 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 Lakeshore.