Park Place No 3 dam
Park Place No 3
Park Place No 3 is a vital water resource structure located in Mahanoy Township, Pennsylvania, along the Mahanoy Creek. Built in 1909, this Earth dam stands at 34 feet high and spans 685 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 126 acre-feet for water supply purposes. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam serves as a key component in the state's water regulation and enforcement efforts.
Despite its age, Park Place No 3 is deemed to be in fair condition with a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a drainage area of 0.3 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 110 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing the water resources in Schuylkill County. It is a cornerstone of water supply infrastructure in the region, supporting various local government initiatives and water management strategies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Park Place No 3 in sustaining the water needs of the surrounding communities. As part of the Federal ID PA00682, this dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies to safeguard water resources and ensure the resilience of water supply systems in Pennsylvania. Its presence along the Mahanoy Creek not only contributes to water storage and regulation but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to adapt to changing climate conditions and secure a sustainable water future for all.
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 Park Place No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Schuylkill River At Tamaqua | 41 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Landingville | 209 cfs | → |
| Wapwallopen Creek Near Wapwallopen | 52 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Bloomsburg | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Lehigh River At Lehighton | 792 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Berne | 409 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Park Place No 3.
Boat launches
- Locust Lake Boat Launch
- Tuscarora Lake Boat Launch
- Pottsville
- Mauch Chunk Boat Launch
- Test Track Park
- Auburn Dam
Track Park Place No 3 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 Park Place No 3
Where does the data for Park Place No 3 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 Park Place No 3.