Toby Creek Impoundment Basin
Toby Creek Impoundment Basin is an earth dam located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, built in 1940. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Toby Creek Impoundment Basin
The primary purpose of Toby Creek Impoundment Basin is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority (local government). It impounds the Toby Creek.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 4,506 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 237 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 32 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 08/26/2020.
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 | Luzerne |
| River/Stream | Toby Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.27444, -75.89333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,506 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 237 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 237 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 32 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | LUZERNE COUNTY FLOOD PROTECTION AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/26/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA01897 |
| Federal ID | PA01897 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |