Chain

LEHIGH RIVER· Northampton, Pennsylvania· Stone· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Chain is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 43.1% in PA)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeStone
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area300 acres
Drainage Area1,360 sq mi
NID IDPA01744

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: November 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

CITY OF EASTON

State Government

Nearby Dams

Kings Crossing

Northampton, PA

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Palmer Park Mall

Northampton, PA

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Upper

Northampton, PA

Low Hazard 11 ft

Lower

Northampton, PA

Low Hazard 7 ft

Easton

Northampton, PA

Low Hazard 30 ft

Rolling Greens (Bethlehem Twp Det)

Northampton, PA

High Hazard 12 ft

Warren Mill Dam

Hunterdon, NJ

High Hazard 38 ft

Illicks Mill

Northampton, PA

Low Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chain?

Chain 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 Chain?

Chain is owned by CITY OF EASTON (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Chain?

Chain 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 Chain?

Chain has a dam height of 20 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 Chain last inspected?

Chain was last inspected on November 12, 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.