North Fork
North Fork is an earth dam located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, built in 1932. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About North Fork
The primary purpose of North Fork 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 Greater Johnstown Water Authority (local government). It impounds the North Fork Bens Creek.
The dam stands 105 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 94 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,316 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1932, 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 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 03/25/2021.
At 105 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Somerset |
| River/Stream | North Fork Bens Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.26917, -79.00389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 105 ft |
| Dam Height | 105 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,316 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,316 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,376 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 94 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | GREATER JOHNSTOWN WATER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/25/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00234 |
| Federal ID | PA00234 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |