Sheppard Myers dam
Sheppard Myers
Sheppard Myers is a vital water resource facility located in West Manheim Township, York, Pennsylvania. Managed by the local government, this earth dam was completed in 1933 and serves the primary purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 1,213 acre-feet. The dam stands at 38 feet tall and spans a length of 760 feet, impounding the waters of the South Branch Conewago Creek.
Despite its critical role in water supply, Sheppard Myers poses a high hazard potential and has been rated as having poor condition. It falls under the regulatory oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety. The dam's last inspection in March 2021 revealed the need for improvement, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks and safeguard the surrounding community.
With its historical significance as a water resource infrastructure in Pennsylvania, Sheppard Myers stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and the ongoing need for investment in dam safety. As climate change continues to impact water resources, ensuring the resilience and functionality of structures like Sheppard Myers is crucial for mitigating risks and maintaining a reliable water supply for the region.
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 Sheppard Myers -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cranberry Branch Near Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls At Hoffmanville | 24 cfs | → |
| Grave Run Near Beckleysville | 8 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek At Spring Grove | 41 cfs | → |
| Georges Run Near Beckleysville | 19 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sheppard Myers.
Boat launches
- Long Arm Dam, Lawrence B. Sheppard Reservoir
- Black Rock Flats Boat Launch
- Codorus State Park Wonder Cove
- Codorus State Park Smith Station Road
- Marina Area, Codorus State Park
- Codorus State Park Hidden Cove
Campgrounds
- Camp Conewago - Boy Scouts Of America
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Manor Area - Cunningham Falls State Park
- Poplar Grove I Group Camping Area
- Houck Area - Cunningham Falls State Park
- Camp Greentop
Fishing spots
Track Sheppard Myers 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 Sheppard Myers
Where does the data for Sheppard Myers 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 Sheppard Myers.