Kern Run (pa-638)

About Kern Run (pa-638)

The primary purpose of Kern Run (pa-638) 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 Spring Township Municipal Authority (local government). It impounds the Kern Run.

The dam stands 61 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 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 06/03/2020.

At 61 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.

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