Cowans Gap dam
Cowans Gap
Cowans Gap, located in Todd Township, Pennsylvania, is a state-regulated recreational area situated along the picturesque Little Aughwick Creek. The dam at Cowans Gap, completed in 1936, stands at a height of 32.3 feet and serves as a vital resource for water storage, with a capacity of 1030 acre-feet. With a surface area of 54 acres and a drainage area of 5.3 square miles, Cowans Gap offers a tranquil retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of nature.
The dam at Cowans Gap is classified as an Earth dam with a Buttress core type, designed for recreational purposes. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as per the last inspection conducted in June 2020. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of the dam to ensure its safety and integrity. Visitors can appreciate the historical significance and engineering marvel of the structure, which has undergone modifications in 2003 to enhance its hydraulic and structural components.
As a beloved recreational destination in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, Cowans Gap offers a serene environment for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and picnicking. The dam's role in water storage and management, coupled with its scenic surroundings, makes it a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate. With its rich history, natural beauty, and commitment to safety and regulation, Cowans Gap stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and environmental stewardship.
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 Cowans Gap -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonoloway Creek Near Needmore | 3 cfs | → |
| Aughwick Creek Near Three Springs | 115 cfs | → |
| Aughwick Creek Near Shirleysburg | 469 cfs | → |
| Conococheague Creek At Fairview | 187 cfs | → |
| Raystown Branch Juniata River At Saxton | 544 cfs | → |
| Potomac River At Hancock | 868 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cowans Gap.
Boat launches
- Cowans Gap Lake Ramp
- Fannettsburg Dam Ramp
- Meadow Grounds Lake - Under Drawdown
- Letterkenny Reservoir
- Woy Bridge Campground
- Blairs Valley Lake
Campgrounds
- Cowans Gap State Park
- Cove Valley Christian Youth Camp
- Trough Creek State Park
- Little Pool Campsite
- Little Pool Hiker Biker Campsite
- Caledonia State Park
Fishing spots
- Melagos Fising Spot
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Sideling Hill Creek Put And Take Area
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Fifteenmile Creek
Paddle runs
Track Cowans Gap 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 Cowans Gap
Where does the data for Cowans Gap 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 Cowans Gap.