Lake Oneida dam
Lake Oneida
Lake Oneida, located in Oakland Township, Pennsylvania, is a private water supply reservoir regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1918, stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 830 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 3,350 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 1,762 acre-feet and a surface area of 155 acres, Lake Oneida draws its water supply from the Connoquenessing Creek, serving as a vital resource for the local community.
The dam at Lake Oneida has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, having undergone structural modifications in 2006. The last inspection in June 2020 deemed the dam to be in compliance with safety standards, with an inspection frequency of once a year. While an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is not currently prepared, the reservoir's risk assessment and management measures are yet to be determined. The dam's location within Butler, Pennsylvania, highlights its importance in water resource management and the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of surrounding areas.
As climate change impacts water resources, the significance of dams like Lake Oneida in ensuring water supply and flood control cannot be overstated. With its historical significance dating back over a century, Lake Oneida stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing and managing water resources. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, understanding the infrastructure and regulatory aspects of Lake Oneida provides valuable insights into the intersection of environmental conservation and sustainable water management in the face of a changing climate.
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 Lake Oneida -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek Near Portersville | 69 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Parker | 12,700 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Freeport | 323 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Kittanning | 15,300 cfs | → |
| Slippery Rock Creek At Wurtemburg | 534 cfs | → |
| Connoquenessing Creek Near Zelienople | 211 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Oneida.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Burnt Ridge Campground
- Harts Content Campground
- Crooked Creek Recreation Area
- Copperhead Retreat
- Danner Campground
- Kamp Kennerdell
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Oneida 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 Lake Oneida
Where does the data for Lake Oneida 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 Lake Oneida.