Lofty Reservoir is an earth dam located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, built in 1897. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 30 ft30 ft tall and 1,100 ft long, taller than 68% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Lofty Reservoir
The primary purpose of Lofty Reservoir 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 Mahanoy Township Authority (local government). It impounds the Messers Run.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 31 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 431 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1897, the structure is over a century old.
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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 11/05/2019.
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Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Schuylkill |
| River/Stream | Messers Run |
| Coordinates | 40.87250, -76.04528 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1897 (129 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 431 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 431 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 276 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 31 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Mahanoy Township Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/05/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00681 |
| Federal ID | PA00681 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |