Waterfall Way Detention Basin dam
Waterfall Way Detention Basin
Waterfall Way Detention Basin, located in Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, is a vital infrastructure designed for flood risk reduction along TR Brush Run. Owned and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this local government-owned earth dam stands at 27 feet tall and spans 200 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 9.7 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.45 square miles, this significant structure plays a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff and protecting downstream areas from potential flooding.
Despite being categorized as having a significant hazard potential, Waterfall Way Detention Basin has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition during its last inspection in October 2018. The dam is subject to regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. While details about its construction year and specific design features are not provided, the basin serves as a key component of the local flood control system, highlighting the importance of proactive infrastructure measures in mitigating water-related risks in the region.
As a notable example of flood risk reduction infrastructure, Waterfall Way Detention Basin underscores the critical role that earth dams play in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events. With its strategic location and storage capacity, this basin serves as a key element in the broader network of water resource management initiatives in Pennsylvania. As climate change continues to influence precipitation patterns and intensify flood risks, the proper maintenance and monitoring of structures like the Waterfall Way Detention Basin are essential for ensuring the resilience and safety of the surrounding area.
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 Waterfall Way Detention Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chartiers Creek At Carnegie | 607 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 12,000 cfs | → |
| Little Pine Creek Near Etna | 6 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 57,800 cfs | → |
| South Fork Tenmile Creek At Jefferson | 554 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waterfall Way Detention Basin.
Track Waterfall Way Detention Basin 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 Waterfall Way Detention Basin
Where does the data for Waterfall Way Detention Basin 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 Significant 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 Waterfall Way Detention Basin.