Auburn dam
Auburn
Auburn is a state-regulated dam located in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, along the Schuylkill River. Built in 1950, this concrete gravity dam stands at 51 feet high and stretches 820 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 4,500 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, Auburn offers a surface area of 186 acres and a normal storage capacity of 1,900 acre-feet, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities in a scenic setting.
Despite its age, Auburn has undergone structural modifications in 2003 to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam's condition assessment is rated as fair, with a high hazard potential due to its location and storage capacity. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in October 2020. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is the primary regulatory agency overseeing Auburn, ensuring that it meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements to safeguard both the dam and the surrounding community.
As a significant feature along the Schuylkill River, Auburn not only serves as a recreational spot but also plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, Auburn stands as a testament to the importance of responsible dam operation and the need for proactive risk management measures to protect both the environment and the public. For enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate adaptation, Auburn offers a compelling case study of how infrastructure can be both a source of enjoyment and a critical component of sustainable development in Pennsylvania.
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 Auburn -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill River At Landingville | 209 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Berne | 409 cfs | → |
| Maiden Creek Near Virginville | 62 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Bernville | 73 cfs | → |
| Little Schuylkill River At Tamaqua | 41 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek Near Pine Grove | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Auburn.
Boat launches
- Auburn Dam
- Schuylkill River Trail West Brunswick Township
- Pottsville
- Kaercher Creek
- Locust Lake Boat Launch
- Wall Street Leesport
Track Auburn 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 Auburn
Where does the data for Auburn 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 Auburn.