Bradys Run dam
Bradys Run
Bradys Run in Brighton Township, Pennsylvania, is a local government-owned recreational dam on the South Branch Brady Run. Completed in 1949, this earth dam stands at 33 feet high and has a length of 350 feet, providing a storage capacity of 526 acre-feet. Despite its primary purpose for recreation, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and is currently in poor condition.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bradys Run is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's last inspection in December 2020 revealed its poor condition, prompting concerns about its safety and the potential risks associated with its high hazard potential. With a drainage area of 13.8 square miles and a surface area of 26.5 acres, the dam presents challenges in terms of risk management and emergency preparedness.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor the condition and maintenance of dams like Bradys Run to ensure public safety and environmental protection. With its location in Beaver, Pennsylvania, and proximity to the Pittsburgh District, the dam's structural integrity and risk assessment are key factors in safeguarding the surrounding community and water resources. Collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies is essential in addressing the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and high hazard potential associated with recreational dams like Bradys Run.
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 Bradys Run -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver River At Beaver Falls | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 68 cfs | → |
| Connoquenessing Creek Near Zelienople | 221 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 334 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Wampum | 1,940 cfs | → |
| Slippery Rock Creek At Wurtemburg | 418 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bradys Run.
Boat launches
- New Brighton
- Monaca Access
- Rochester
- Ohioville Borough
- Bevington Boat Access
- Hereford Manor-Closed-Public Access Prohibited
Track Bradys Run 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 Bradys Run
Where does the data for Bradys Run 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 Bradys Run.