Buzzard Swamp No 6

MUDDY FORK· Elk, Pennsylvania· Built 1971· Earth· 29 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Buzzard Swamp No 6 is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 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 29 ft (taller than 63.4% in PA)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage293 acre-ft
Surface Area66 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDPA01007

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: November 19, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

PA GAME COMMISSION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buzzard Swamp No 6?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 is owned by PA GAME COMMISSION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Buzzard Swamp No 6 built?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 has a dam height of 29 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 Buzzard Swamp No 6 last inspected?

Buzzard Swamp No 6 was last inspected on November 19, 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.