Remington Road Detention dam
Remington Road Detention
Located in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, the Remington Road Detention structure serves as a crucial flood risk reduction measure along the West Branch Indian Creek. Built in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 1000 feet, with a storage capacity of 26.31 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the state-regulated Remington Road Detention, ensuring that it meets all necessary permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. The primary purpose of this structure is flood risk reduction, with a focus on protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events. The dam's location within Montgomery County highlights its strategic importance in safeguarding the local community from water-related hazards.
With a drainage area of 0.92 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 5.19 acre-feet, Remington Road Detention plays a key role in managing stormwater runoff and reducing the risk of flooding in the region. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water resources, structures like this are essential for promoting resilience and ensuring the safety of residents. By staying informed about the condition and functionality of such critical infrastructure, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to effective risk management and sustainable water management practices in their communities.
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 Remington Road Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cobbs Cr At U.S. Hghwy No. 1 At Philadelphia | 4 cfs | → |
| Wissahickon Creek At Mouth | 57 cfs | → |
| Cobbs Creek At Mt. Moriah Cemetery | 31 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Philadelphia | 915 cfs | → |
| Ridley Creek At Media | 121 cfs | → |
| Crum Creek Near Newtown Square | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Remington Road Detention.
Boat launches
- Norristown Riverfront Park
- Betzwood
- Frankford Arsenal
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Tacony Boat Launch
- Arcola Rd 3506, Lower Providence Township
Campgrounds
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Camp Green Lane
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- Camp Laughing Waters
- Camp Sumney
- Camp Delmont
Fishing spots
Track Remington Road Detention 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 Remington Road Detention
Where does the data for Remington Road Detention 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 Remington Road Detention.