H B Norton
H B Norton is an earth dam located in Elk County, Pennsylvania, built in 1932. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About H B Norton
The primary purpose of H B Norton 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 Ridgway (local government). It impounds the Big Mill Creek.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 80 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 30 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 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 10/01/2020.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% 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 | Elk |
| River/Stream | Big Mill Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.42472, -78.77806 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,450 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 835 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 80 acres |
| Drainage Area | 30 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BOROUGH OF RIDGWAY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/01/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00385 |
| Federal ID | PA00385 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |