Bernhart dam
Bernhart
Bernhart, located in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, is a local government-owned Earth dam completed in 1865 for recreational purposes along Bernhart Creek. Standing at a height of 30 feet and a length of 180 feet, this dam provides a storage capacity of 203 acre-feet and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the region. However, recent assessments have deemed its condition unsatisfactory with a high hazard potential, highlighting the need for immediate attention and maintenance.
Despite being regulated and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bernhart's maintenance and emergency preparedness measures appear to be lacking, raising concerns about its safety and the surrounding community's well-being. With a drainage area of 2.6 square miles and a surface area of 13 acres, any potential failure of this dam could lead to significant flooding and environmental damage in the area. It is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize the rehabilitation and risk management of Bernhart to ensure the safety of both the dam structure and the local residents who enjoy its recreational benefits.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and advocate for the proper maintenance and management of dams like Bernhart to mitigate risks and protect water resources. By staying informed about the condition and regulatory oversight of such structures, we can contribute to the preservation of these vital assets and help safeguard communities from potential disasters. Bernhart serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Bernhart -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill River At Reading | 641 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Creek Near Reading | 94 cfs | → |
| Tulpehocken Cr At Blue Marsh Damsite Near Reading | 70 cfs | → |
| Manatawny Creek Near Spangsville | 33 cfs | → |
| Maiden Creek Near Virginville | 70 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Berne | 713 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bernhart.
Boat launches
- Epler's Landing
- Reading Riverfront Park
- Wall Street Leesport
- Sheidy Road
- Kaercher Creek
- Scott's Run Lake-French Creek State Park
Track Bernhart 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 Bernhart
Where does the data for Bernhart 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 Bernhart.