Greenwalt dam
Greenwalt
Greenwalt, also known as Lake Dom, is a private water resource located in Unity Township, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam was completed in 1990 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a dam height of 27 feet and a length of 785 feet, Greenwalt has a storage capacity of 171 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 92 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 15 acres and draining an area of 2.2 square miles.
The dam on Crabtree Creek has a significant hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently marked as 'Not Rated'. Despite being uninspected since February 2018, the dam has a scheduled inspection frequency of every 2 years. The surrounding area does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, raising concerns about the readiness for any potential emergencies. With its unique earth dam type and buttress core design, Greenwalt stands as a crucial water resource in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
For those interested in water resources and climate change, Greenwalt offers a fascinating study in dam construction and management. Its location in a scenic environment in Unity Township provides an ideal setting for recreational activities and wildlife habitat. However, the dam's significant hazard potential and lack of recent inspection raise questions about its long-term safety and management strategies. Greenwalt serves as a reminder of the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and emergency preparedness in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Greenwalt -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Loyalhanna Creek At Loyalhanna Dam | 221 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Tunnelton | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Kingston | 203 cfs | → |
| Blacklick Creek At Josephine | 173 cfs | → |
| Kiskiminetas River At Vandergrift | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Linn Run At Linn Run State Park Near Rector | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Greenwalt.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Keystone State Park
- Bush
- Camp Ligonier
- Antiochian Village Camp
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Kooser State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Greenwalt 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 Greenwalt
Where does the data for Greenwalt 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 Greenwalt.