Upper Tumbling Run
Upper Tumbling Run is an earth dam located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, built in 1836. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Upper Tumbling Run
The primary purpose of Upper Tumbling Run 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 Schuylkill Haven (local government). It impounds the Tumbling Run.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 36 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 980 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1836, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 12/16/2020.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% 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 | Schuylkill |
| River/Stream | Tumbling Run |
| Coordinates | 40.67889, -76.17250 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 570 ft |
| Year Completed | 1836 (190 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 980 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 980 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 760 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 36 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BOROUGH OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/16/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00689 |
| Federal ID | PA00689 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |