Belmont Raw Water Basin
Belmont Raw Water Basin is an earth dam located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, built in 1901. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Belmont Raw Water Basin
The primary purpose of Belmont Raw Water Basin 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 Wtrshd Schuylkill River.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 220 acre-feet. Completed in 1901, the structure is over a century 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 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 08/12/2020.
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 | Philadelphia |
| River/Stream | Wtrshd Schuylkill River |
| Coordinates | 40.00278, -75.21889 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1901 (125 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 145 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | PHILADELPHIA WATER DEPARTMENT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/12/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA01775 |
| Federal ID | PA01775 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |