Lake Antietam

Lake Antietam is an earth dam located in Berks County, Pennsylvania, built in 1880. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Antietam

The primary purpose of Lake Antietam 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 Berks County Commissioners (local government). It impounds the Antieeam Creek.

The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 430 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1880, 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 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 09/25/2020.

At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StatePennsylvania
CountyBerks
River/StreamAntieeam Creek
Coordinates40.35583, -75.87000

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height60 ft
Dam Height60 ft
Dam Length230 ft
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage430 acre-ft
Max Storage430 acre-ft
Normal Storage310 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerBERKS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection09/25/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDPA00716
Federal IDPA00716
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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