Snyner-Westhaver dam
Snyner-Westhaver
Snyner-Westhaver is a private earth dam located in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, with a primary purpose of irrigation along the TR Yellow Breeches Creek. The dam, completed in 1979, stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 1.07 square miles and a surface area of 11 acres, Snyner-Westhaver plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Snyner-Westhaver is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite not having an Emergency Action Plan in place, Snyner-Westhaver continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for irrigation purposes in the area. As a significant part of the local water resource system, the dam's role in managing water flow and storage is essential for climate resilience and agricultural sustainability in the region.
The location of Snyner-Westhaver in South Middleton Township, along with its association with the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, underscores the collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the dam. With a focus on irrigation and water management, Snyner-Westhaver stands as a testament to the intersection of water resources, climate adaptation, and infrastructure development, highlighting the importance of sustainable water practices in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Snyner-Westhaver -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bermudian Creek At Oxford Road Nr Heidlersburg | 6 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek Near Pine Grove Furnace | 11 cfs | → |
| Conodoguinet Creek Near Hogestown | 186 cfs | → |
| Sherman Creek At Shermans Dale | 99 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Snyner-Westhaver.
Boat launches
- Childrens Lake B.L.
- Letort Falls Park
- North Middleton Park
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
- Opossum Lake Bl #1
- Opossum Lake Bl #2
Campgrounds
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #4
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #7
- Primitive Campsite #8
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Snyner-Westhaver 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 Snyner-Westhaver
Where does the data for Snyner-Westhaver 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 Snyner-Westhaver.