Black Rock

SCHUYLKILL RIVER· Montgomery, Pennsylvania· Built 1900· Timber Crib· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Black Rock is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 13.2% in PA)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage221 acre-ft
Normal Storage221 acre-ft
Surface Area184 acres
Drainage Area1,296 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDPA00884

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 27, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black Rock?

Black Rock is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Black Rock?

Black Rock is owned by EXELON GENERATION COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black Rock built?

Black Rock was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Black Rock?

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

How tall is Black Rock?

Black Rock has a dam height of 11 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 Black Rock last inspected?

Black Rock was last inspected on July 27, 2018. 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.