Pine Grove dam
Pine Grove
Pine Grove, located in Little Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, is a stone dam constructed in 1919 along the Octoraro Creek. This recreational dam serves as a vital water resource for the area, providing a storage capacity of 153 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 10 acres. With a dam height of 10 feet and a length of 200 feet, Pine Grove contributes to the conservation and management of water in the region, supporting various recreational activities for the local community.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pine Grove is regulated, inspected, and enforced for safety and compliance with state guidelines. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition as of yet. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps preparedness are currently undisclosed, indicating a need for further evaluation and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this important water infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pine Grove offers a glimpse into the historical and environmental significance of dam structures in Pennsylvania. With its peaceful surroundings and recreational opportunities, Pine Grove stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between water conservation, public safety, and sustainable development in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands on water resources. As efforts continue to assess and enhance the resilience of Pine Grove and similar structures, the importance of proactive risk management and community engagement in water management practices becomes increasingly clear.
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 Pine Grove -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Big Elk Creek At Forestville | 9 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Conowingo | 9,240 cfs | → |
| East Branch White Clay Creek At Avondale | 11 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Castle Fin | 131 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek Near Darlington | 263 cfs | → |
| White Clay Creek Near Strickersville | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pine Grove.
Boat launches
- Spruce Grove Road Lancaster County
- Dorsey Park
- Cold Cabin Park
- Mason-Dixon Trail Lower Chanceford Township
- Pequea
- York Furnace
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Pine Grove 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 Pine Grove
Where does the data for Pine Grove 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 Low 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 Pine Grove.