Buzzard Swamp No 6 dam
Buzzard Swamp No 6
Buzzard Swamp No 6, located in Millstone Township, Pennsylvania, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1971 for the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 29 feet with a length of 700 feet, this dam holds a storage capacity of 1164 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 66 acres. The dam is situated on the Muddy Fork river within the Pittsburgh District, with the nearest congressman being Glenn Thompson (R).
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Buzzard Swamp No 6 is currently in fair condition according to the latest inspection conducted in November 2020. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. With a drainage area of 2.7 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Elk County, Pennsylvania, and serves as a vital recreational spot for locals and visitors alike. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Buzzard Swamp No 6 offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
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 Buzzard Swamp No 6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clarion River At Cooksburg | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Tionesta Creek At Lynch | 321 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Ridgway | 583 cfs | → |
| Redbank Creek At Brookville | 305 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Johnsonburg | 407 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At West Hickory | 7,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buzzard Swamp No 6.
Boat launches
- Irwin Run Canoe Launch
- River Road Barnett Township
- The Branch Road Kingsley Township
- Nebraska
- Sheffield Boro
- Little Toby Creek
Campgrounds
- Loleta Recreation Area
- Loleta Rec Area
- Kelly Pines Campground
- Clarion River Campsites
- Beaver Meadows Recreational Area Campground
- Beaver Meadows Rec Area
Paddle runs
Track Buzzard Swamp No 6 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6
Where does the data for Buzzard Swamp No 6 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6.