Kinzua Dam & Allegheny Reservoir
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| id | 16680111 |
| provider | LRP |
| code | Kinzua |
| slug | kinzua |
| elevation | 0.0 |
| horizontal_datum | WGS84 |
| vertical_datum | NAVD88 |
| state | PA |
| kind | PROJECT |
| nearest_city | Jamestown |
| public_name | Kinzua Dam & Allegheny Reservoir |
| location_code | 16680111 |
| nsid | None |
| aliases |
NIDID:
PA00105
|
| timeseries |
tsid:
Kinzua-Outflow.Stage.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS
label: Stage base_parameter: Stage parameter: Stage unit: ft unit_long_name: Feet latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 8.59 delta24h: None sort_order: 4 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Lake.Stor.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS label: Conservation Storage base_parameter: Stor parameter: Stor unit: ac-ft unit_long_name: Acre-feet latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 589206.45 delta24h: None sort_order: 13 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Lake.Elev.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS label: Elevation base_parameter: Elev parameter: Elev unit: ft unit_long_name: Feet latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 1328.89 delta24h: None sort_order: 1 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Outflow.Precip-Inc.Total.1Hour.1Hour.OBS label: Precipitation base_parameter: Precip parameter: Precip-Inc unit: in unit_long_name: Inches latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 0.0 delta24h: None sort_order: 16 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Outflow.Stage.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS label: Stage Tailwater base_parameter: Stage parameter: Stage unit: ft unit_long_name: Feet latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 8.59 delta24h: None sort_order: 5 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Outflow.Flow.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS label: Outflow base_parameter: Flow parameter: Flow unit: cfs unit_long_name: Cubic feet per second latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 2354.21 delta24h: None sort_order: 7 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Lake.Stor.Inst.1Hour.0.OBS label: Flood Storage base_parameter: Stor parameter: Stor unit: ac-ft unit_long_name: Acre-feet latest_time: 2026-05-29T16:00:00Z latest_value: 589206.45 delta24h: None sort_order: 11 results: None tsid: Kinzua-Lake.Flow-Inflow-Comp.Inst.1Hour.0.A2W label: Inflow base_parameter: Flow parameter: Flow-Inflow-Comp unit: cfs unit_long_name: Cubic feet per second latest_time: 2026-05-29T13:00:00Z latest_value: 0.0 delta24h: None sort_order: 6 results: None |
| name | Kinzua Dam & Allegheny Reservoir |
| hasResopsAverages | false |
| nidId | PA00105 |
| nidid | |
| levels |
slug:
elev.minimum
label: Minimum parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Minimum latest_value: 1239.4 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.streambed label: Streambed parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Streambed latest_value: 1195.6 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.top of conservation label: Top of Conservation parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Top of Conservation latest_value: 1327.53 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.top of dam label: Top of Dam parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Top of Dam latest_value: 1374.6 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.top of flood label: Top of Flood parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Top of Flood latest_value: 1364.51 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.top of full label: Top of Full parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Top of Full latest_value: 1364.51 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: elev.top of inactive label: Top of Inactive parameter: Elev base_parameter: Elev tsid: Kinzua.Elev.Inst.0.Top of Inactive latest_value: 1239.4 units: ft units_long_name: Feet slug: stor.minimum label: Minimum parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Minimum latest_value: 24000 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.streambed label: Streambed parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Streambed latest_value: 0 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.top of conservation label: Top of Conservation parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Top of Conservation latest_value: 572600 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.top of dam label: Top of Dam parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Top of Dam latest_value: 1405372 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.top of flood label: Top of Flood parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Top of Flood latest_value: 1179000 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.top of full label: Top of Full parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Top of Full latest_value: 1179000 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet slug: stor.top of inactive label: Top of Inactive parameter: Stor base_parameter: Stor tsid: Kinzua.Stor.Inst.0.Top of Inactive latest_value: 24000 units: ac-ft units_long_name: Acre-feet |
| id | 550026 |
| associatedStructuresCount | 0 |
| conditionAssessDate | None |
| conditionAssessDetail | None |
| conditionAssessId | 6 |
| damHeight | None |
| damLength | 1916 |
| distance | 5 |
| drainageArea | 2180 |
| eapId | 1 |
| dsacAssignedDate | 2023-11-08T12:00:00.000Z |
| eapMeetsGuidelinesId | 1 |
| emergencyContactsUpdated | 2024-10-25T12:00:00.000Z |
| eapLastRevDate | 2017-05-05T12:00:00.000Z |
| enforcementAuthorityId | 0 |
| federalId | PA00105 |
| oldFederalId | PA00105 |
| hazardId | 4 |
| hydraulicHeight | 172 |
| inspectionAuthorityId | 0 |
| inspectionDate | 2023-06-15T12:00:00.000Z |
| inspectionFrequency | 5 |
| jurisdictionAuthorityId | 0 |
| latitude | 41.839319312 |
| lengthOfLocks | 0 |
| secondaryLengthOfLocks | None |
| longitude | -79.002990546 |
| maxDischarge | 144000 |
| maxStorage | 1300000 |
| nidHeight | 177 |
| nidStorage | 1300000 |
| normalStorage | 573000 |
| numberOfLocks | 0 |
| operationalStatusDate | 2023-11-08T12:00:00.000Z |
| operationalStatusId | 2 |
| originalDesignerName | None |
| otherStructureId | None |
| permittingAuthorityId | 0 |
| politicalPartyId | None |
| privateDamId | None |
| projectDescription | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) constructed Kinzua Dam across the Allegheny River to hold back water during flood events to reduce the risk of downstream flooding in the low-lying communities on the Allegheny River, including Warren, Oil City, Franklin, metropolitan Pittsburgh in Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties and additional towns on the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. The dam is located about eight miles upstream of Warren, Pennsylvania and forms the Allegheny Reservoir. Kinzua dam has reduced flood damage by more than an estimated $1.3 billion between 1966 and 2020. The reservoir stores rainfall from late winter through early summer and releases water to maintain river flow during the drier late-summer and early-autumn months; provides water to an adjoining hydropower facility and provides numerous opportunities for recreation. Kinzua Dam is composed of both a concrete portion and an earthen (embankment) portion and has a maximum height of almost 180 feet and a length of more than 1800 feet. The concrete portion of the dam has spillway gates designed to release a large volume of water during significant rainfall events to reduce the possibility that water from the reservoir will overtop the dam. |
| riskCharSummary | The most recent risk assessment for Kinzua dam was completed in 2023, which characterized the risk posed by the dam as high. The dam was well-constructed and is well-maintained. However, large populations live downstream of Kinzua dam, including those in Warren, Oil City, Franklin, metropolitan Pittsburgh and other low-lying communities on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. Although the dam reduces the risk of flooding to these communities, it does not eliminate flooding. The most likely scenario resulting in downstream flooding from Kinzua Dam would be a high-volume release of reservoir water through the dam’s spillway during an unusually large and intense storm event (which has not occurred since the project was constructed in 1966). Water released through the spillway would create conditions similar to how the river would behave if the dam had not been constructed. A less likely, but far more devastating flooding scenario exists: an extreme rainfall event that results in water flowing over the earthen embankment portion of the dam, eroding the embankment, and leading to a breach. Although such a precipitation event leading to a breach is extremely rare, it is a possibility. Another potential outcome is that the concrete portion of the dam could become unstable during an extreme rainfall event leading to a breach. In either scenario, a large surge of water would flow out of the reservoir, flooding downstream communities. Communities, including Warren, that are closer to the dam, are in more immediate danger of a significant flood event and may have little advanced warning. Cities and communities further downstream of the dam, such as Oil City, Franklin, and communities in metropolitan Pittsburgh have larger populations and possibly less awareness of the dam but will have more warning. With either of the scenarios described above, the downstream floodwater would be swift and deep, possibly overflowing levees (including those in Warren, Oil City, and Kittanning, Pennsylvania; Wellsville, Ohio; and Benwood, West Virginia), destroying buildings and infrastructure. Anyone caught unaware and/or unable to evacuate could perish. In the less likely dam breach scenario, the water depth, property damage, and lives lost would likely be far greater. |
| riskManagementMeasures | USACE will continue to work closely with state and local emergency managers, conduct emergency exercises and incorporate any new information into our collective emergency action plans. We are beginning to study whether there are additional measures that we can take to reduce the risk associated with high reservoir levels overflowing onto the earthen portion of the dam. We will continue rigorous monitoring and surveillance of the dam and will do so more frequently when heavy rainfall causes high reservoir levels. Rainfall forecasts and reservoir levels are routinely monitored and if a high reservoir level is forecast, we will promptly inform local and state emergency managers so that they can take protective actions, make flood warnings, and prepare for emergency responses. We will work with local communities to provide opportunities to engage with residents to help them understand how they can better prepare for a potential flood. In partnership with the US Geologic Survey and the National Weather Service, information on current and forecasted lake levels at Pittsburgh District reservoirs are available to the public via the internet at: https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Portals/72/docs/WaterManagement/ResSumPlots.pdf. |
| riverName | ALLEGHENY RIVER |
| separateStructuresCount | 0 |
| sourceAgency | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| spillwayTypeId | 1 |
| spillwayWidth | 180 |
| stateFedId | PA00105 |
| stateRegulatoryAgency | None |
| stateRegulatedId | 0 |
| structuralHeight | 177 |
| submitDate | 2023-02-16T17:25:39.495Z |
| surfaceArea | 12080 |
| volume | 3138000 |
| widthOfLocks | 0 |
| secondaryWidthOfLocks | None |
| yearCompleted | 1965 |
| congDist | Congressional District 15, Pennsylvania |
| city | WARREN |
| county | Warren |
| aiannh | None |
| websiteUrl | https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Dam-Safety-Program/Article/2870967/dam-safety-program/ |
| coreTypeIds | 2 |
| damTypeIds | 5;8;9 |
| fedConstructionIds | 1 |
| fedDesignIds | 1 |
| fedFundingIds | 1 |
| fedInspectionIds | 1 |
| fedOperationIds | 1 |
| fedOtherIds | 1 |
| fedOwnerIds | 1 |
| fedRegulatoryIds | 1 |
| formerNames | None |
| foundationTypeIds | 1;3 |
| nonFederalDamOnFederalId | 0 |
| designerNames | CELRP |
| otherNames | Allegheny Reservoir |
| ownerNames | USACE - Pittsburgh District |
| ownerTypeIds | 3 |
| primaryDamTypeId | 5 |
| primaryOwnerTypeId | 3 |
| primaryPurposeId | 9 |
| purposeIds | 9;12;4;5;6 |
| dsacId | 2 |
| femaRegion | 3 |
| lastEapExcerDate | 2025-04-29T12:00:00.000Z |
| dataUpdated | 2025-05-29T12:00:00.000Z |
| usaceDistrict | Pittsburgh District |
| noConsequencesId | 0 |
| secretaryAgricultureBuiltId | None |
| nrcsWatershedAuthorizationId | None |
| isAssociatedStructureId | No |
| fedRegulatedId | Yes |
| inundationNidAddedId | 1 |
| damStatusId | 2 |
| huc06 | 050100 |
| doi_region | None |
| doi_region_name | North Atlantic-Appalachian |
| doi_region_number | 1 |
| Links |
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