Rapp Run Flood Retarding dam
Rapp Run Flood Retarding
Rapp Run Flood Retarding is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Completed in 2014, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 700 feet along Rapp Run. With a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet, this dam plays a pivotal role in minimizing the impact of flooding in the area, as it is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its satisfactory condition.
Managed by the local government, Rapp Run Flood Retarding serves as a vital resource for the community, protecting against potential hazards with its high hazard potential classification. Despite its critical role in flood risk reduction, the dam has not been modified in recent years, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to safeguard its effectiveness. With a designated emergency action plan in place, this structure remains prepared to handle any unforeseen events, underscoring its importance in water resource and climate management for enthusiasts in the field.
As a significant component of the flood control infrastructure in the region, Rapp Run Flood Retarding plays a key role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. With a focus on flood risk reduction as its primary purpose, this earth dam stands as a testament to proactive water resource management efforts, emphasizing the importance of proper regulation, inspection, and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and protect the surrounding community from the impacts of flooding. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this structure serves as a compelling example of the intersection between infrastructure development, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Rapp Run Flood Retarding -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wissahickon Creek At Fort Washington | 35 cfs | → |
| Pennypack Creek Trib At Hatboro | 1 cfs | → |
| L Neshaminy Cr At Valley Road Nr Neshaminy | 14 cfs | → |
| Pennypack Creek At Pine Road | 49 cfs | → |
| Tacony Creek At County Line | 23 cfs | → |
| Wissahickon Creek At Mouth | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rapp Run Flood Retarding.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Camp Green Lane
- Camp Sumney
- Homestead Family Campground
- Bsa Camp Hart
- Camp Delmont
- Nelson Training Center
Fishing spots
Track Rapp Run Flood Retarding 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 Rapp Run Flood Retarding
Where does the data for Rapp Run Flood Retarding 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 Rapp Run Flood Retarding.