Brinkerton dam
Brinkerton
Brinkerton, located in Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania, is a private earth dam completed in 1903 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans 400 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres. It is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and has a low hazard potential.
Situated along the TR Sewickley Creek, Brinkerton serves as a popular recreational spot in Westmoreland County, offering opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not rated, with its last inspection conducted in June 2017. The dam has not been modified over the years and does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Brinkerton presents a fascinating blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Its presence along the tranquil creek adds to the charm of the surrounding landscape, making it a valuable asset for both local residents and visitors seeking a serene escape in nature. With its regulated status and low hazard potential, Brinkerton stands as a testament to responsible dam management in ensuring both safety and recreational enjoyment for all who frequent its waters.
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 Brinkerton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Loyalhanna Creek At Kingston | 203 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Connellsville | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Linn Run At Linn Run State Park Near Rector | 11 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Loyalhanna Dam | 221 cfs | → |
| Conemaugh River At Tunnelton | 1,220 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brinkerton.
Boat launches
- Double Bridge Road Mount Pleasant Township
- Jacobs Creek Park
- Acme Dam
- Legion-Keener Park
- Lake Donegal #1 - Lake Under Drawdown
- Cardinal Park
Campgrounds
- Keystone State Park
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Bush
- Camp Ligonier
- Kooser State Park
- Antiochian Village Camp
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Sand Spring Run
- Deep Creek Lake
- Jennings Run
- Savage River Reservoir
Track Brinkerton 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 Brinkerton
Where does the data for Brinkerton 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 Brinkerton.