Griffis dam
Griffis
Griffis is a private recreational dam in Forest Lake Township, Pennsylvania, regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Completed in 1989, this earth dam stands at 17 feet tall and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet. Situated on the TR Middle Branch Wyalusing Creek, Griffis serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a drainage area of 0.72 square miles.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Griffis has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with inspections conducted every two years to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's purpose primarily focuses on recreation, offering a surface area of 5 acres for outdoor activities. Located within the Susquehanna County, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. With its historical significance and environmental impact, Griffis stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in Pennsylvania.
As a key feature of the Baltimore District, Griffis exemplifies the importance of state-regulated infrastructure in safeguarding communities against potential hazards. Its satisfactory condition and regulatory compliance highlight the ongoing commitment to maintaining the dam's safety and operational efficiency. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Griffis not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to flood control and water supply management in the Susquehanna area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of dams like Griffis is essential in promoting sustainable practices and resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Griffis -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choconut Creek Near Choconut | 18 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Conklin Ny | 2,380 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Vestal Ny | 4,140 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Meshoppen | 7,810 cfs | → |
| Wappasening Creek Near Windham Center | 18 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Owego Ny | 4,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Griffis.
Boat launches
- Quaker Lake
- Cook's Pond
- Great Bend Twp/Hallstead
- Great Bend Boro Access
- Old Vestal Road 2413, Vestal Town
- Susquehanna River
Campgrounds
- Salt Springs State Park
- East Lake Campground
- Hickories Park
- Carpenter Town
- Lackawanna State Park
- Chenango Valley State Park
More reservoirs
Track Griffis 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 Griffis
Where does the data for Griffis 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 Griffis.