Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5 dam
Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5
Allegheny River Lock and Dam 5, located in Freeport, Pennsylvania, is a gravity dam completed in 1927 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for navigation purposes on the Allegheny River. With a structural height of 16 feet and a length of 856 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 9,800 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 9,351 square miles. The dam features a multi-arch core type built on a rock foundation, with an uncontrolled spillway width of 632 feet to manage maximum discharge of 82,000 cubic feet per second.
The dam, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk rating, is continuously monitored by the US Army Corps of Engineers to address flood risks, manage water levels, and ensure structural integrity. Emergency action plans and inundation maps are prepared and regularly updated, with coordinated efforts with local emergency managers to raise public awareness and readiness in case of a dam-related emergency. Regular maintenance and repairs are carried out to keep the dam functioning effectively, with a focus on prioritizing activities to mitigate risks and engage stakeholders in risk management measures.
As a vital component of the Allegheny River's water resource management system, Allegheny River Lock and Dam 5 plays a crucial role in regulating water flow, supporting navigation, and reducing flood risks in the region. The ongoing efforts by the US Army Corps of Engineers ensure the dam's resilience and readiness to address challenges posed by severe weather events and changing hydrological conditions, highlighting the importance of proactive risk management and community engagement in safeguarding water resources and climate resilience.
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 Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Near Freeport | 323 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Natrona | 16,400 cfs | → |
| Kiskiminetas River At Vandergrift | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek At Crooked Creek Dam | 159 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Kittanning | 15,300 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek At Idaho | 269 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Crooked Creek Recreation Area
- Burnt Ridge Campground
- Bush
- Keystone State Park
- Milton Loop
- Redbank Valley Municipal Park
Paddle runs
Track Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5 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 Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5
Where does the data for Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5 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 Allegheny River Lock And Dam 5.