Deer Valley Lake

COVE RUN· Somerset, Pennsylvania· Built 1953· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Deer Valley Lake is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 48.9% in PA)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDPA00230

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: June 21, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

YMCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Valley Lake?

Deer Valley Lake 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 Deer Valley Lake?

Deer Valley Lake is owned by YMCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deer Valley Lake built?

Deer Valley Lake was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Deer Valley Lake?

Deer Valley Lake 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 Deer Valley Lake?

Deer Valley Lake has a dam height of 22 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 Deer Valley Lake last inspected?

Deer Valley Lake was last inspected on June 21, 2017. 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.