Kessler dam
Kessler
Kessler is a privately owned dam located in North Codorus Township, York, Pennsylvania. Built in 1937, this Earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of grade stabilization along Powder Creek. With a height of 10.5 feet and a length of 1150 feet, Kessler has a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet and a surface area of 8 acres. The dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, Kessler poses a moderate risk due to its condition assessment being listed as "Not Rated." The dam has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) and lacks updated emergency action plans (EAPs). In 2004, Kessler underwent modifications for hydraulic purposes. While the dam meets state jurisdiction and regulatory requirements, there is room for improvement in terms of risk management measures and emergency preparedness. Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Kessler's historical and operational data intriguing, prompting further exploration into its risk assessment and potential future enhancements.
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 Kessler -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Codorus Creek At Spring Grove | 41 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek Near York | 200 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls At Hoffmanville | 24 cfs | → |
| Codorus Creek At Pleasureville | 208 cfs | → |
| Grave Run Near Beckleysville | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kessler.
Boat launches
- Codorus State Park Mooring Cove
- Codorus State Park Main Launch
- Codorus State Park Hidden Cove
- Marina Area, Codorus State Park
- Codorus State Park Smith Station Road
- Codorus State Park Wonder Cove
Campgrounds
- Camp Conewago - Boy Scouts Of America
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #7
- Primitive Campsite #4
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Kessler 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 Kessler
Where does the data for Kessler 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 Low 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 Kessler.