Spring Valley Lake dam
Spring Valley Lake
Spring Valley Lake in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, is a private recreational water resource regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Built in 1964, this earth dam stands at 43 feet high and spans 435 feet in length, providing a surface area of 3 acres for recreation. With a normal storage capacity of 31 acre-feet, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in fair condition as of its last inspection in July 2017.
Located in Richland Township, Spring Valley Lake is a popular spot for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam is situated on TR Montour Run and is under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburgh District. Despite its limited drainage area of 0.1 square miles, the lake offers a serene escape for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Pennsylvania.
With its tranquil setting and recreational purpose, Spring Valley Lake serves as a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. While its primary function is for leisure activities, the dam also plays a crucial role in water resource management and environmental conservation efforts in Allegheny County. As a privately-owned structure, it is subject to regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam for the surrounding community.
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 Spring Valley Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pine Creek Near Etna | 3 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 23,400 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Natrona | 16,400 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Freeport | 323 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 147 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 77 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Valley Lake.
Boat launches
- North Park Boat Launch
- Glade Run Access
- Sharpsburg Island Marina
- Deer Creek
- Oakmont Public Access
- Kilbuck Access
Campgrounds
- Harts Content Campground
- Montour Trail - Boggs Trailhead Campsite
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Crooked Creek Recreation Area
- Burnt Ridge Campground
Paddle runs
Track Spring Valley Lake 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 Spring Valley Lake
Where does the data for Spring Valley Lake 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 Spring Valley Lake.