Canonsburg
Canonsburg is a gravity dam located in Washington County, Pennsylvania, built in 1943. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Canonsburg
The primary purpose of Canonsburg is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Pa Fish & Boat Commission (state). It impounds the Little Chartiers Creek.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 525 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 76 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,841 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 46 square miles. Completed in 1943, 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 09/21/2020.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Washington |
| River/Stream | Little Chartiers Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.27361, -80.13750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 525 ft |
| Year Completed | 1943 (83 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,841 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,841 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 820 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 76 acres |
| Drainage Area | 46 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/21/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00493 |
| Federal ID | PA00493 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |