Queen Lane Raw Water Basin dam
Queen Lane Raw Water Basin
The Queen Lane Raw Water Basin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a critical piece of infrastructure for water supply in the region. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands 50 feet tall and spans 2800 feet, with a storage capacity of 540 acre-feet. Located in the watershed of the Schuylkill River, this dam serves as a primary source of raw water for the area, with a normal storage capacity of 500 acre-feet.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Queen Lane Raw Water Basin is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition with regular inspections conducted to monitor its structural integrity. As a vital component of the local water supply system, maintaining the Queen Lane Raw Water Basin is crucial for safeguarding the region's water resources and resilience to changing climate conditions.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and ongoing management of the Queen Lane Raw Water Basin, which plays a key role in providing reliable water supply for the Philadelphia area. With its strategic location in the watershed of the Schuylkill River and its substantial storage capacity, this earth dam serves as a critical piece of infrastructure that is closely monitored and regulated by state authorities. As concerns about water scarcity and climate change continue to grow, ensuring the safety and functionality of facilities like the Queen Lane Raw Water Basin is essential for meeting the water needs of the community and adapting to a changing 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 Queen Lane Raw Water Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wissahickon Creek At Mouth | 57 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Philadelphia | 915 cfs | → |
| Tacony Creek At County Line | 23 cfs | → |
| Frankford Creek At Castor Ave | 41 cfs | → |
| Cobbs Cr At U.S. Hghwy No. 1 At Philadelphia | 4 cfs | → |
| Cobbs Creek At Mt. Moriah Cemetery | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Queen Lane Raw Water Basin.
Boat launches
- Frankford Arsenal
- Tacony Boat Launch
- Linden Avenue
- Norristown Riverfront Park
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Station Avenue
Campgrounds
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Camp Green Lane
- Camp Sumney
- Camp Delmont
- Nelson Training Center
- Camp Laughing Waters
Fishing spots
Track Queen Lane Raw Water Basin 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 Queen Lane Raw Water Basin
Where does the data for Queen Lane Raw Water Basin 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 High 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 Queen Lane Raw Water Basin.