Penn Forest
Penn Forest is a roller-compacted concrete dam located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, built in 1998. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Penn Forest
The primary purpose of Penn Forest 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 Bethlehem Authority (local government). It impounds the Wild Creek.
The dam stands 151 feet tall and stretches 2,040 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 462 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 27,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1998, the structure is 28 years 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 11/05/2020.
At 151 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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.
Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Carbon |
| River/Stream | Wild Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.93056, -75.56250 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Roller-Compacted Concrete |
| NID Height | 151 ft |
| Dam Height | 151 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,040 ft |
| Year Completed | 1998 (28 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 27,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 27,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 20,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 462 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BETHLEHEM AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/05/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00608 |
| Federal ID | PA00608 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |