Alvin R. Bush Dam dam
Alvin R. Bush Dam
Alvin R. Bush Dam, also known as Kettle Creek Lake, is a crucial structure in Pennsylvania managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk reduction. Completed in 1962, this rockfill dam stands at 165 feet high and spans 1350 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 117,000 acre-feet. While the dam helps reduce the risk of flooding to downstream communities by releasing water through its uncontrolled spillway during high-water events, there are still potential hazards that could lead to significant flooding.
The risk management measures implemented by USACE include regular inspections, monitoring, and updating of the Emergency Action Plan to ensure the dam's integrity and the safety of surrounding communities. In the event of a breach or high-volume release of water, downstream areas such as Renovo and North Bend could face swift and deep floodwaters, causing widespread property damage and potential loss of life. USACE remains vigilant in their efforts to protect against such disasters by closely monitoring weather patterns and coordinating emergency response exercises with various agencies.
Despite the risks associated with Alvin R. Bush Dam, the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding downstream communities and mitigating potential flooding impacts. Through proactive risk management measures and continuous monitoring, the dam serves as a crucial asset in protecting against natural disasters while providing essential flood risk reduction for the region.
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 Alvin R. Bush Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle Creek Near Westport | 401 cfs | → |
| First Fork Sinnemahoning Cr Near Sinnemahoning | 324 cfs | → |
| West Branch Susquehanna River At Renovo | 3,990 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek At Cross Fork | 233 cfs | → |
| Sinnemahoning Creek At Sinnemahoning | 901 cfs | → |
| First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek At Wharton | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alvin R. Bush Dam.
Boat launches
- Kettle Creek State Park
- Keating Mountain Road West Keating Township
- Sinnemahoning State Park
- North Bend
- Hyner
- Karthaus Access And Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Hyner Run State Park
- Black Walnut Bottom
- Little Pine State Park
- Kampgrounds Of America
- Gram & Pap's Fort Bellefonte Campground
- Hoffman Campground
Track Alvin R. Bush Dam 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 Alvin R. Bush Dam
Where does the data for Alvin R. Bush Dam 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 Alvin R. Bush Dam.