Bakerton dam
Bakerton
Bakerton, located in West Carroll Township, Pennsylvania, is a vital water supply structure regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This earth-type dam, completed in 1921, stands 24 feet tall and spans 454 feet along the West Branch Susquehanna River, providing a storage capacity of 64.5 acre-feet for the surrounding area. With a spillway width of 204 feet and a significant hazard potential, Bakerton plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Cambria County.
Despite its age, Bakerton underwent structural modifications in 2005 to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam's inspection frequency is set at every two years, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, Bakerton's emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unspecified. As a key water supply infrastructure, Bakerton serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring our water resources in the face of climate change.
With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, Bakerton stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As enthusiasts in these fields continue to study and monitor dams like Bakerton, they play a crucial role in safeguarding our water supply and preparing for potential emergencies. As climate change impacts become more apparent, structures like Bakerton highlight the need for proactive measures to ensure the sustainability and safety of our water resources for future generations.
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 Bakerton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Conemaugh River At East Conemaugh | 97 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Seward | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Homer City | 64 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Minersville | 1,440 cfs | → |
| West Branch Susquehanna River At Bower | 606 cfs | → |
| Stonycreek River At Ferndale | 1,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bakerton.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Duman Lake County Park
- Nanty Glo Municipal Park
- Prince Gallitzin State Park
- Stefan's Campsite
- Adams Croyle
- Blue Knob State Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Bakerton 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 Bakerton
Where does the data for Bakerton 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 Significant 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 Bakerton.