Little Sugar Creek dam
Little Sugar Creek
Little Sugar Creek, located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This earthen dam, completed in 1966, serves primarily for recreational purposes with a height of 14 feet and a length of 1030 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 1003 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 614 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 130 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Little Sugar Creek plays a vital role in the local community, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based recreation. Even though the dam's condition is not currently rated, regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The dam's association with the Buffalo District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its significance in water resource management and the preservation of the surrounding environment.
Overall, Little Sugar Creek stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. With its regulated state jurisdiction and dedicated oversight, the dam continues to be a valuable asset for both recreational enjoyment and environmental conservation in the region. As climate change impacts water resources, the careful monitoring and maintenance of structures like Little Sugar Creek are essential for safeguarding communities and ecosystems against potential risks and disruptions.
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 Little Sugar Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Woodcock Creek At Blooming Valley | 59 cfs | → |
| Woodcock Creek At Woodcock Creek Dam | 68 cfs | → |
| French Creek At Meadville | 3,460 cfs | → |
| French Creek At Utica | 3,880 cfs | → |
| Oil Creek At Rouseville | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Franklin | 16,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Sugar Creek.
Boat launches
- Game Land 69 Pond
- Sugar Lake
- Tamarack Lake Access Area
- Tamarack Drive 9160, Crawford County
- Springs Road 21200, Crawford County
- Pa 173 3999, Crawford County
Campgrounds
- Colonel Crawford County Park
- Custaloga Town Scout Reservation
- Two Mile Run County Park
- Seneca Hills Bible Camp & Retreat Center
- Kamp Kennerdell
- Danner Campground
Paddle runs
Track Little Sugar Creek 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 Little Sugar Creek
Where does the data for Little Sugar Creek 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 Little Sugar Creek.