Parker dam
Parker
Parker is a state-owned dam located in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, specifically in Huston Township. Built in 1935, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and stretches for 740 feet across Laurel Run. With a storage capacity of 318 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 105 acre-feet, Parker primarily serves a recreational purpose for visitors in the area. Despite being regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, although its current condition is rated as fair.
Situated within the Baltimore District, Parker is under state jurisdiction and is subject to regular inspections, permit requirements, and enforcement by the state regulatory agency. The dam, having no associated structures, is solely responsible for managing water flow on Laurel Run and providing recreational opportunities in the surrounding area. While its risk assessment and emergency action plan status are unspecified, the dam's hazard potential and fair condition underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the community and the environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Parker represents a key piece of infrastructure in Pennsylvania that warrants attention and oversight to mitigate potential risks and ensure its continued functionality for recreational and water management purposes.
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 Parker -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Susquehanna River At Hyde | 664 cfs | → |
| Wb Susquehanna River Near Curwensville | 518 cfs | → |
| Clearfield Creek At Dimeling | 355 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Ridgway | 881 cfs | → |
| Wb Susquehanna River At Karthaus | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Clarion River At Johnsonburg | 557 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parker.
Boat launches
- Treasure Lake Road 16311, Sandy Township
- Shawville Grocery
- Treasure Lake Road 15351, Sandy Township
- Lower Witmer Park Borough Access
- Little Toby Creek
- Deer Creek
Campgrounds
- Parker Dam State Park
- S.B. Elliott State Park
- Boy Scount Camp
- Curwensville Lake
- Red Mill
- East Branch Lake
Paddle runs
Track Parker 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 Parker
Where does the data for Parker 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 Parker.