Lower West Deer Lake dam
Lower West Deer Lake
Lower West Deer Lake, located in West Deer Township, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, is a picturesque recreational dam situated along the TR Little Deer Creek. Owned and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 285 feet, with a storage capacity of 37 acre-feet. The dam, primarily used for recreation, covers a surface area of 2.36 acres and has a drainage area of 0.6 square miles.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Lower West Deer Lake poses a high hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The last inspection was conducted in October 2020, with an inspection frequency of once a year. With a spillway width of 159 feet and no associated locks, the dam serves as a vital recreational resource while also necessitating stringent risk management measures to ensure public safety.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower West Deer Lake presents a fascinating study in balancing recreational benefits with the potential risks associated with high-hazard dams. As a regulated and state-jurisdictional structure, this dam serves as a focal point for environmental stewardship and water management practices in the region, reflecting the delicate interplay between human enjoyment of natural resources and the imperative of safeguarding against potential hazards.
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 Lower West Deer Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny River At Natrona | 16,400 cfs | → |
| Little Pine Creek Near Etna | 3 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Freeport | 323 cfs | → |
| Kiskiminetas River At Vandergrift | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek At Crooked Creek Dam | 159 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 23,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower West Deer Lake.
Track Lower West Deer Lake 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 Lower West Deer Lake
Where does the data for Lower West Deer Lake 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 Lower West Deer Lake.