Bear Pond dam
Bear Pond
Bear Pond, located in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned recreational water resource regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The dam at Bear Pond is of earth construction type with a height of 15 feet and a length of 325 feet, providing a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is considered low, it is still subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Situated along Freeman Run, Bear Pond offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Despite its relatively modest size, the pond serves as an important water source for the local ecosystem and contributes to the overall water resources of the area. With its scenic location and diverse wildlife, Bear Pond is a valuable asset for both the community and the environment, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship and conservation efforts to protect such natural habitats.
As a privately owned water resource, Bear Pond plays a significant role in providing recreational opportunities while also serving as a vital component of the local watershed. With its low hazard potential and regulatory oversight, the pond serves as a model for sustainable management practices that balance the needs of human recreation with the protection of natural ecosystems. By ensuring the continued safety and integrity of Bear Pond, stakeholders can preserve this valuable resource for future generations of water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
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 Bear Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklick Creek At Josephine | 173 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Seward | 581 cfs | → |
| Two Lick Creek At Graceton | 131 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Kingston | 203 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Tunnelton | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Minersville | 645 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Pond.
Boat launches
- Keystone State Park Lake
- Cardinal Park
- Bow Ridge (Ada Use Only)
- Sanderson
- Legion-Keener Park
- Power St. River Wall
Campgrounds
- Antiochian Village Camp
- Camp Ligonier
- Keystone State Park
- Bush
- Lorain Borough Park
- Quemahoning Family Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Bear Pond 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 Bear Pond
Where does the data for Bear Pond 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 Bear Pond.