Ebensburg Storage

Ebensburg Storage is an earth dam located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, built in 1923. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Ebensburg Storage

The primary purpose of Ebensburg Storage 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 Ebensburg (local government). It impounds the Howells Run.

The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 670 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 139 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1923, 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 09/23/2020.

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 HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StatePennsylvania
CountyCambria
River/StreamHowells Run
Coordinates40.48944, -78.71750

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height16 ft
Dam Height16 ft
Dam Length670 ft
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage139 acre-ft
Max Storage139 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerBOROUGH OF EBENSBURG
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection09/23/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDPA00442
Federal IDPA00442
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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