Group Camp

Group Camp is an earth dam located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, built in 1938. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Group Camp

The primary purpose of Group Camp is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Dcnr (state). It impounds the Traverse Creek.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 135 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1938, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/26/2021.

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 HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StatePennsylvania
CountyBeaver
River/StreamTraverse Creek
Coordinates40.51083, -80.44083

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height20 ft
Dam Height20 ft
Dam Length220 ft
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage135 acre-ft
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerDCNR
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/26/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDPA00259
Federal IDPA00259
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams