Varcoe (Pa-415) dam
Varcoe (Pa-415)
Varcoe (Pa-415) is a vital earth dam located in Berlin Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR LAURELLA BROOK. Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 300 feet, with a storage capacity of 317 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Varcoe (Pa-415) is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring its continued safety and effectiveness in mitigating flood risks in the region.
The dam's strategic location within the Philadelphia District of the USACE and its state-regulated status underscore its critical role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With a drainage area of 0.84 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 8 acre-feet, Varcoe (Pa-415) plays a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff and protecting downstream communities from potential flooding events. Its association with the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlights the collaborative efforts between local government agencies and federal entities to safeguard water resources and enhance flood control measures in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of Varcoe (Pa-415) in flood risk reduction and its operational oversight by state regulatory agencies provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between infrastructure, environmental protection, and community safety. By recognizing the dam's role in managing water flows, mitigating flood risks, and ensuring public safety, stakeholders can work together to enhance its resilience, address maintenance needs, and implement risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding area from potential hazards and promote sustainable water resource management practices.
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 Varcoe (Pa-415) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dyberry Creek Near Honesdale | 76 cfs | → |
| Lackawaxen River Near Honesdale | 230 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River At Prompton | 62 cfs | → |
| Lackawaxen River At Hawley | 350 cfs | → |
| West Branch Lackawaxen River Near Aldenville | 35 cfs | → |
| Lackawaxen River At Rowland | 497 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Varcoe (Pa-415).
Track Varcoe (Pa-415) 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 Varcoe (Pa-415)
Where does the data for Varcoe (Pa-415) 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 Varcoe (Pa-415).