Dinsmore No 2 dam
Dinsmore No 2
Dinsmore No 2, a privately owned earth dam located in Smith Township, Pennsylvania, is a crucial part of the state's water resource management infrastructure. Built in 1909 for recreational purposes, this dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a storage capacity of 133 acre-feet. It spans 410 feet across Harmon Creek and covers an area of 10 acres, serving as a popular recreational spot for local residents and visitors alike.
Despite its age, Dinsmore No 2 has been well-maintained and regularly inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a high hazard potential, the dam poses a significant risk in the event of a failure, making it essential for proper risk assessment and management measures to be in place. The latest inspection in March 2021 deemed the dam's condition as satisfactory, but ongoing monitoring and emergency preparedness are crucial to mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Dinsmore No 2 serves not only as a recreational destination but also as a key component in the overall water resource management system. With proper regulatory oversight and maintenance practices in place, this dam continues to play a vital role in providing water storage, flood control, and recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.
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 Dinsmore No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 18 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 20,900 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 68 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 143 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 64 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dinsmore No 2.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Montour Trail - Boggs Trailhead Campsite
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Jefferson Lake State Park
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Harts Content Campground
Track Dinsmore No 2 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 Dinsmore No 2
Where does the data for Dinsmore No 2 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 Dinsmore No 2.