Auburn

SCHUYLKILL RIVER· Schuylkill, Pennsylvania· Built 1950· Concrete· 51 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Auburn is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 51 ft (taller than 84.8% in PA)
Dam Length820 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage4.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area186 acres
Drainage Area157 sq mi
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDPA00670

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 13, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

DEP

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Auburn?

Auburn is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Auburn?

Auburn is owned by DEP (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Auburn built?

Auburn was completed in 1950, making it 76 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Auburn?

Auburn serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Auburn?

Auburn has a dam height of 51 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Auburn last inspected?

Auburn was last inspected on October 13, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.