Townsend
Townsend is a timber crib dam located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, built in 1913. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Townsend
The primary purpose of Townsend is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Beaver Falls Municipal Authority (local government). It impounds the Beaver River near New Brighton.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,112 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 08/10/2017.
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Location
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Beaver |
| Nearest City | New Brighton |
| River/Stream | Beaver River |
| Coordinates | 40.73330, -80.31580 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 45 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,112 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Beaver Falls Municipal Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/10/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PA01899 |
| Federal ID | PA01899 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |