Yingst dam
Yingst
Yingst is a privately owned dam located in Dauphin, Pennsylvania, along the TR Fishing Creek. Built in 1999, this Earth-type dam serves primarily as a recreational site, with secondary purposes including irrigation. Standing at 16 feet tall and spanning 585 feet in length, Yingst has a storage capacity of 33.62 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2.53 acres. It is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections, with its hazard potential classified as significant.
In terms of safety and maintenance, Yingst has been assessed as satisfactory, with a condition assessment indicating no immediate concerns. The dam has a designated inspection frequency of every two years, with the last inspection conducted in July 2018. While emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps are not currently documented for Yingst, the dam remains under state jurisdiction and enforcement. With its location in West Hanover Township and the oversight of the Buffalo District, Yingst stands as a vital water resource within the region, serving both recreational and irrigation needs for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Yingst presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. With its significant hazard potential and reliance on state oversight, the dam underscores the importance of maintaining infrastructure for both safety and recreational purposes. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Yingst become crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water supply. By staying informed and engaged in the management of dams like Yingst, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of these essential water resources for 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 Yingst -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paxton Creek Near Glenwood | 5 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek Near Hershey | 351 cfs | → |
| Swatara Creek At Harper Tavern | 197 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Harrisburg | 26,400 cfs | → |
| Quittapahilla Creek Near Bellegrove | 93 cfs | → |
| Yellow Breeches Creek Near Camp Hill | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yingst.
Boat launches
- Pfbc Fort Hunter Boat Launch
- Boathouse Park
- Enola Boat Access
- Heritage Park Picnic Area And Boat Launch
- Swatara Creek Park
- Dock Street Hummelstown
Campgrounds
- Streamside Campsite
- Forest Campsite With Stream
- Forest Campsite (No Water)
- Stoevers Dam Park
- Blue Mountain Campsite
- Echo Valley Campground
More reservoirs
Track Yingst 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 Yingst
Where does the data for Yingst 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 Yingst.