Griffin
Griffin is an earth dam located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, built in 1888. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Griffin
The primary purpose of Griffin 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 Pa American Water Company (private). It impounds the Leggetts Creek.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 340 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 110 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,617 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1888, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/29/2020.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
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.
Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lackawanna |
| River/Stream | Leggetts Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.49639, -75.66500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 340 ft |
| Year Completed | 1888 (138 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,617 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,617 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,614 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | PA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/29/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00188 |
| Federal ID | PA00188 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |