Emsworth Locks And Dams
Emsworth Locks And Dams is a gravity dam located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, built in 1938. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Emsworth Locks And Dams
The primary purpose of Emsworth Locks And Dams is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by Usace - Pittsburgh District (federal). It impounds the Ohio River near Emsworth.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 1,928 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,870 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 42,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19,428 square miles. Completed in 1938, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/14/2022.
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Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Nearest City | Emsworth |
| River/Stream | Ohio River |
| Coordinates | 40.50388, -80.08906 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,928 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 42,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 42,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 42,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,870 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19,428 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 300,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | USACE - Pittsburgh District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00126 |
| Federal ID | PA00126 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |