Lake Jo-Ann dam
Lake Jo-Ann
Lake Jo-Ann, located in Peters Township, Pennsylvania, is a private recreational lake regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Built in 1950, this Earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 515 feet, providing a storage capacity of 187 acre-feet and a surface area of 14 acres. The dam is primarily used for recreation purposes, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
With a drainage area of 1.62 square miles, Lake Jo-Ann has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, according to the most recent inspection in November 2020. The dam underwent structural modifications in 2007 to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps are currently unlisted, suggesting the need for further evaluation and potential risk management measures.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake Jo-Ann to be an intriguing site for recreational activities, while also serving as a case study in dam management and safety. As a privately owned lake under state jurisdiction, it highlights the importance of regulatory oversight and maintenance to ensure the safety of both the structure and the surrounding community. Further research and monitoring may be necessary to assess and mitigate potential risks associated with this picturesque water resource.
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 Jo-Ann -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 607 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 12,000 cfs | → |
| Little Pine Creek Near Etna | 6 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 57,800 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 554 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Jo-Ann.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Jo-Ann 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 Jo-Ann
Where does the data for Lake Jo-Ann 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 Jo-Ann.