Water Control Structure dam
Water Control Structure
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Water Control Structure on Darby Creek is a federal-owned dam with a primary purpose classified as "Other." Standing at a height of 10 feet, this earth dam with a buttress core type has a storage capacity of 960 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 250 square miles. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not having a current condition assessment rating, the structure has not been regulated, permitted, or inspected by the state.
While the Water Control Structure has not undergone recent modifications or inspections, its last known inspection date was in June 2004. With no emergency action plan (EAP) prepared or updated, the risk assessment and management measures for the dam remain unspecified. The structure's associated risk, inundation maps, and emergency contacts are also lacking information, presenting a potential need for further evaluation and preparedness in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this structure serves as a point of interest for its location in an urban setting and its potential impact on the surrounding environment.
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 Water Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cobbs Creek At Mt. Moriah Cemetery | 31 cfs | → |
| Cobbs Cr At U.S. Hghwy No. 1 At Philadelphia | 4 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Philadelphia | 915 cfs | → |
| Ridley Creek At Media | 121 cfs | → |
| Chester Creek Near Chester | 305 cfs | → |
| Wissahickon Creek At Mouth | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Water Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Lakeside Avenue 440, Deptford
- Frankford Arsenal
- Crown Point Road Oldmans
- Tacony Boat Launch
- Norristown Riverfront Park
Campgrounds
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- Parvin State Park
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
Fishing spots
Track Water Control Structure 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 Water Control Structure
Where does the data for Water Control Structure 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 Undetermined 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 Water Control Structure.