Malvern Preparatory Lower dam
Malvern Preparatory Lower
Malvern Preparatory Lower, located in Malvern Borough, Pennsylvania, is a private recreational facility with a dam constructed in 1923 across TR Crum Creek. The dam, primarily made of concrete, stands at a height of 14.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet. The structure spans 180 feet in length, with a surface area of 2.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.29 square miles. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
In 2014, Malvern Preparatory Lower underwent hydraulic and structural modifications to enhance its performance and safety. The dam has a significant hazard potential, but its condition is assessed as satisfactory, with inspections conducted every two years. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of recreation for the surrounding community. The location of the dam in Chester County, Pennsylvania, under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, further highlights its importance in managing water resources in the region.
With its historical significance, recreational value, and regulatory oversight, Malvern Preparatory Lower represents a vital water resource infrastructure in Pennsylvania. The dam's association with TR Crum Creek and its role in providing recreational opportunities underscore the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures for climate enthusiasts and water resource management professionals. As a privately owned facility, Malvern Preparatory Lower serves as a reminder of the intersection between human activities, environmental stewardship, and the sustainable use of water resources in the region.
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 Malvern Preparatory Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Creek At Pa Turnpike Br Near Valley Forge | 28 cfs | → |
| Crum Creek Near Newtown Square | 43 cfs | → |
| Ridley Creek At Media | 121 cfs | → |
| East Branch Brandywine Creek Below Downingtown | 50 cfs | → |
| French Creek Near Phoenixville | 18 cfs | → |
| Schuylkill River At Norristown | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Malvern Preparatory Lower.
Boat launches
- Betzwood
- Phoenixville
- Arcola Rd 3506, Lower Providence Township
- Spring City
- Norristown Riverfront Park
- West Side-Lyndell
Campgrounds
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Camp Laughing Waters
- Camp Green Lane
- Camp Sumney
- Camp Delmont
Fishing spots
Track Malvern Preparatory Lower 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 Malvern Preparatory Lower
Where does the data for Malvern Preparatory Lower 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 Malvern Preparatory Lower.