Smith And Ponzo dam
Smith And Ponzo
Smith and Ponzo is a private water resource located in Somerset Township, Pennsylvania, along the TR North Branch Pigeon Creek. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and was completed in 1939. Standing at a height of 24 feet and with a length of 283 feet, Smith and Ponzo has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6 acres.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition as of its last inspection in October 2017. With a regular inspection frequency of every two years, this earth dam with a buttress core type continues to provide recreational benefits to the local community. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam's state permitting, inspection, and enforcement ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Smith and Ponzo, as it contributes to the local landscape and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. The presence of this dam highlights the delicate balance between human enjoyment of natural resources and the need for responsible management to ensure safety and sustainability in the face of changing environmental 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 Smith And Ponzo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 3,640 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 57 cfs | → |
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 152 cfs | → |
| Redstone Creek At Waltersburg | 57 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River Near Masontown | 6,960 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith And Ponzo.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Smith And Ponzo 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 Smith And Ponzo
Where does the data for Smith And Ponzo 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 Significant 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 Smith And Ponzo.