Fairmount is a concrete dam located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, built in 1927. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 1,200 ft long, taller than 74% 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 concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Fairmount
The primary purpose of Fairmount 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 Philadelphia Water Department (local government). It impounds the Schuylkill River.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 427 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,683 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,916 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 03/14/2019.
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Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| River/Stream | Schuylkill River |
| Coordinates | 39.96722, -75.18611 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 427 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,916 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Philadelphia Water Department |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/14/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA00897 |
| Federal ID | PA00897 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |