Richardson dam
Richardson
Located in Canton Township, Pennsylvania, the Richardson dam stands as a vital component of water resource management in the region. Built in 1976, this private-owned structure serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a surface area of 6 acres and storing up to 63 acre-feet of water from the TR CHARTIERS CREEK. With a height of 26 feet and a length of 400 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of water and ensuring the safety of the surrounding communities.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Richardson dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to guarantee its structural integrity and hazard potential. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in November 2020. With its buttress core type and earth foundation, the Richardson dam underscores the importance of effective water management practices and the critical role dams play in mitigating climate-related risks in the area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the Richardson dam stands as a symbol of resilience and preparedness in the face of potential emergencies. While emergency action plans and risk assessments are yet to be fully developed, the dam's satisfactory condition and regulatory oversight provide a sense of assurance to the local community and stakeholders. With its strategic location and operational capabilities, Richardson serves as a key element in the broader framework of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
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 Richardson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 152 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 57 cfs | → |
| Wheeling Creek At Elm Grove | 192 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 104 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richardson.
Boat launches
- Dutch Fork Lake (West Side)
- Canonsburg Lake
- Howard Street
- East Fredricktown
- Monongehela Aquatorium
- Elrama Street
Campgrounds
- Montour Trail - Boggs Trailhead Campsite
- Raccoon Creek State Park
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Tomlinson Run State Park
Fishing spots
- Belmot Lake
- Belmont Lake
- Barnesville Lake #4
- Barnesville Lake
- Clendening Lake
- Barnesville Reservoir Number Three
Paddle runs
Track Richardson 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 Richardson
Where does the data for Richardson 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 Richardson.