Hutchinson Fresh Water dam
Hutchinson Fresh Water
Hutchinson Fresh Water is a privately owned dam located in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, specifically in Sewickley Township. Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this dam serves primarily for recreation and grade stabilization purposes along the TR Sewickley Creek. With a height of 65 feet and a storage capacity of 980 acre-feet, this earth dam provides a surface area of 20 acres and covers a drainage area of 0.14 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, Hutchinson Fresh Water has not been inspected since June 2017 and is due for inspection every 5 years. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is unclear, with no recent updates or assessments available. With its proximity to a residential area and the potential risks associated with dam failure, it is crucial for stakeholders and enthusiasts in water resource and climate management to stay informed and advocate for regular inspections, maintenance, and improvement measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this important water resource.
As a key recreational site and grade stabilizer along the TR Sewickley Creek, Hutchinson Fresh Water plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and community. With its earth dam structure and a history of state regulatory oversight, this dam represents a significant water resource that requires ongoing attention and support from both private owners and state agencies. By staying engaged with updates on inspections, emergency preparedness, and risk management measures, water resource and climate enthusiasts can help safeguard the integrity and functionality of Hutchinson Fresh Water for current and future generations.
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 Hutchinson Fresh Water -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Connellsville | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Redstone Creek At Waltersburg | 49 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Kingston | 203 cfs | → |
| Loyalhanna Creek At Loyalhanna Dam | 221 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hutchinson Fresh Water.
Boat launches
- West Newton Public Launch
- Cedar Creek Park Access
- Sutersville Borough Rec Park
- Buena Vista
- Coulterville
- Boston Park
Campgrounds
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Keystone State Park
- Bush
- Kentuck Campground
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
- Camp Ligonier
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Hutchinson Fresh Water 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 Hutchinson Fresh Water
Where does the data for Hutchinson Fresh Water 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 Hutchinson Fresh Water.