The Dam Inspection Act, Public Law 92-367, authorized the Secretary of the Army, through the Corps of Engineers, to initiate a program of inspection of dams throughout the United States. The purpose is to determine if the dam constitutes a hazard to human life or property.

DuBois Creek Dam is located on DuBois Creek, approximately 2.1 miles southwest of Hartford, Pennsylvania. The inspection was performed on 28 October 1980. A light rain was falling at the time of inspection. The dam and appurtenant structures were found to be in poor overall condition at the time of inspection. Seepage was observed at three locations passing through deteriorated portions of the concrete core wall. These seepage areas are the result of progressive deterioration of the exposed areas of the concrete core wall. The seepage has caused erosion gullies and slight irregularities on the downstream face of the dam.

The purpose of a Phase I investigation is to identify expeditiously those dams which may pose hazards to human life or property. The assessment of the general condition of the dam is based upon visual observations and review of available data. Detailed investigations and analyses involving topographic mapping, subsurface investigations, material testing, and detailed computational evaluations are beyond the scope of a Phase I investigation; however, the inspection is intended to identify any need for such studies which should be performed by the owner. In reviewing this report, it should be realized that the reported condition of the dam is based on observations of field conditions at the time of inspection along with data available to the inspection team. In cases where the reservoir was lowered or drained prior to inspection, such action, while improving the stability of the dam, removes the normal load on the structure and may obscure certain conditions which might otherwise be detectable if inspected under the normal operating environment of the structure.

Bear Run Dam is an earth embankment approximately 42 feet high and 415 feet long (including spillway). The dam is provided with an unlined trapezoidal channel spillway cut into the left abutment. The spillway contains a short concrete control slab adjacent to the embankment crest. The downstream channel of the spillway is comprised of unvegetated granular material. The outlet works consists of a 16-inch diameter ductile iron pipe (blowoff) with a sluice gate located at the inlet and controlled by a manual operator from the dam crest. An 8-inch diameter ductile iron pipe with a perforated vertical intake riser serves as the supply lines are equipped with two gate valves that are manually operated from the crest and downstream slope. Bear Run is located on Bear Run in Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, about 4-1/2 miles west of the community of Bridgeport (located along Anderson Creek) and about 6 miles west of the community of Curwensville.

Based on the visual inspection, operational history, and available engineering data, the dam is considered to be in fair condition. In accordance with the recommended guidelines the spillway design flood for this facility is the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF). Results of the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis indicate that the facility is capable of passing and/or storing only 20 percent of the PMF without overtopping the embankment. Overtopping and embankment failure is also anticipated under less than 1/2 PMF flooding resulting in an increase in potential for loss of life. Thus, based on criteria contained in the recommended guidelines the spillway is considered seriously inadequate. Seepage was noted at the downstream toe in an area behind the old gate house. Also, seepage was observed to be issuing from the left embankment-abutment junction, about midway between the toe and the crest of the dam. Historical records indicate seepage was frequently noted in both areas. General surficial deterioration is evident on portions of the spillway, particularly the sidewalls.