Canonsburg No 2 dam
Canonsburg No 2
Canonsburg No 2, located in Peters Township, Pennsylvania, is a recreational earth dam constructed in 1932 along Johnsons Run. With a height of 36 feet and a length of 630 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 825 acre-feet and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the region. Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the dam is currently classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, raising concerns about its long-term safety and maintenance.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Canonsburg No 2 is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations. The dam's last inspection in September 2020 highlighted the need for improved maintenance and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate risks associated with its deteriorating condition. As a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure, efforts to address the dam's safety concerns and enhance its resilience to climate impacts are crucial for protecting both the surrounding community and the natural environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to advocate for proactive measures to address the challenges facing Canonsburg No 2 and other critical infrastructure. By promoting sustainable practices, investing in infrastructure upgrades, and enhancing emergency response capabilities, stakeholders can work towards ensuring the long-term viability of water resources and the resilience of dams like Canonsburg No 2 in the face of evolving climate conditions. Only through collaborative efforts and informed decision-making can we safeguard our water resources for future generations and mitigate the potential risks associated with aging infrastructure.
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 Canonsburg No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 238 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Little Pine Creek Near Etna | 4 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 36,100 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Canonsburg No 2.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg No 2
Where does the data for Canonsburg 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 Canonsburg No 2.