Wisecarver
Wisecarver is an earth dam located in Greene County, Pennsylvania, built in 1931. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wisecarver
The primary purpose of Wisecarver 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 Southwestern Pa Water Authority (local government). It impounds the Wisecarver Run.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 260 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 384 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1931, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/22/2020.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% 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 | Greene |
| River/Stream | Wisecarver Run |
| Coordinates | 39.90556, -80.20944 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1931 (95 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 384 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 384 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 246 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | SOUTHWESTERN PA WATER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00195 |
| Federal ID | PA00195 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |