Heritage Reservation dam
Heritage Reservation
Heritage Reservation in Fayette, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned recreational area situated along the picturesque Little Sandy Creek. The dam at Heritage Reservation, completed in 1979, stands at a height of 66 feet and spans a length of 770 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 3100 acre-feet. With a surface area of 252 acres and a drainage area of 5.8 square miles, the site offers a tranquil and scenic setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the region.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Heritage Reservation is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam structure. The dam is classified as having a high hazard potential but is assessed as being in satisfactory condition, with regular inspections conducted to monitor its performance and address any necessary maintenance or repairs. The site's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment measures are currently unspecified, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Located in Wharton Township and overseen by the Huntington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Heritage Reservation offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental appreciation in a well-maintained and regulated setting. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area, they can enjoy the beauty of the reservoir while also recognizing the importance of responsible stewardship and proactive risk management to safeguard the dam and surrounding natural habitats for future generations to enjoy.
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 Heritage Reservation -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 726 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Friendsville | 190 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Youghiogheny River Dam | 464 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Friendsville | 23 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River Below Confluence | 761 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek At Rockville | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heritage Reservation.
Boat launches
- Jockey Hollow
- Tubs Run
- Somerfield North Boat Ramp
- Mill Run Road Garrett County
- Outflow
- Spillway Recreation Area
Campgrounds
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Camp Sonrise Mountain Christian Retreat Center
- Tub Run Rec Area - Youghiogheny River Lake
- Mill Run - Youghiogheny River Lake
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
- Kentuck Campground
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Deep Creek Lake
- Broadford Lake
- Snowy Creek
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Savage River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
Track Heritage Reservation 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 Heritage Reservation
Where does the data for Heritage Reservation 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 Heritage Reservation.