Wolfe Farm dam
Wolfe Farm
Wolfe Farm in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, is home to an Earth dam built in 1966 for irrigation purposes. The dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 390 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet. Situated on TR Hunters Run in South Middleton Township, this privately owned dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are managed effectively.
The Wolfe Farm dam plays a crucial role in providing irrigation water for the surrounding agricultural land, with a normal storage capacity of 81 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is maintained in a fair condition, meeting regulatory standards set by the state. With its location in the Baltimore District and representation by Congressman Scott Perry, Wolfe Farm showcases the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region, making it a noteworthy site for enthusiasts interested in sustainable agriculture and water conservation efforts.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wolfe Farm offers a fascinating case study of a privately owned Earth dam that serves both agricultural and environmental purposes. As a regulated structure in Pennsylvania, the dam at Wolfe Farm represents a balance between irrigation needs and the potential risks associated with high hazard potential. With its history dating back to 1966 and its ongoing maintenance and inspection, this site highlights the importance of proactive water management practices in ensuring the sustainability of water resources in the face of changing climatic 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 Wolfe Farm -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bermudian Creek At Oxford Road Nr Heidlersburg | 6 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek Near Pine Grove Furnace | 11 cfs | → |
| West Conewago Creek At East Berlin | 116 cfs | → |
| Conodoguinet Creek Near Hogestown | 186 cfs | → |
| Sherman Creek At Shermans Dale | 99 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wolfe Farm.
Boat launches
- Laurel Lake Boat Launch
- Childrens Lake B.L.
- Letort Falls Park
- North Middleton Park
- Opossum Lake Bl #1
- Opossum Lake Bl #2
Campgrounds
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Primitive Campsite #5
- Primitive Campsite #6
- Primitive Campsite #4
- Primitive Campsite #7
- Primitive Campsite #8
Fishing spots
- Melagos Fising Spot
- Little Owens Creek
- Hunting Creek Lake
- Culler Lake
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Potomac River Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Wolfe Farm 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 Wolfe Farm
Where does the data for Wolfe Farm 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 Wolfe Farm.