Keister dam
Keister
Keister is a privately owned dam located in Menallen Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at 33 feet tall and spans 380 feet in length, providing recreational opportunities along the TR Jennings Run river or stream. With a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, Keister offers a surface area of 16 acres and drains an area of 1.5 square miles.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Keister is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as low hazard potential and not yet rated for its condition assessment, the dam undergoes inspections every five years to monitor its structural integrity. While there are currently no emergency action plans in place, Keister remains a key feature for recreational purposes in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy its serene surroundings and water-based activities.
Additionally, Keister falls under the jurisdiction of the Huntington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and is represented by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R). As a vital part of the water resource infrastructure in Pennsylvania, Keister serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in safeguarding both the environment and public safety. Its rich history, picturesque setting, and regulatory oversight make it a significant location for those interested in water resources and climate resilience efforts.
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 Keister -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redstone Creek At Waltersburg | 35 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Connellsville | 943 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River Near Masontown | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 726 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 26 cfs | → |
| Dunkard Creek At Shannopin | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Keister.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Kentuck Campground
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Chestnut Ridge Regional Park
- Coopers Rock State Forest
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Deep Creek Lake
- Snowy Creek
- Broadford Lake
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
Track Keister 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 Keister
Where does the data for Keister 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 Keister.