Grahamville Reservoir

Grahamville Reservoir is an earth dam located in Erie County, Pennsylvania, built in 1906. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Grahamville Reservoir

The primary purpose of Grahamville Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Borough Of North East (local government). It impounds the Tr Sixteen Mile Creek.

The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/12/2020.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Pennsylvania dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StatePennsylvania
CountyErie
River/StreamTr Sixteen Mile Creek
Coordinates42.19167, -79.78889

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height29 ft
Dam Height29 ft
Dam Length400 ft
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage200 acre-ft
Max Storage200 acre-ft
Normal Storage140 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerBOROUGH OF NORTH EAST
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection10/12/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDPA00020
Federal IDPA00020
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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