Edinboro Lake

CONNEAUTTEE CREEK· Erie, Pennsylvania· Built 1909· Earth· 18 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Edinboro Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 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	18 ft (taller than 37.7% in PA)
Dam Length	200 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	6.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.5K acre-ft

Surface Area	250 acres
Drainage Area	17 sq mi
Year Completed	1909 (117 years old)
NID ID	PA00018

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 8, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

BOROUGH OF EDINBORO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

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David Strongs

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Cambridge Springs

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Pa-107

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Pa-106

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Sweny

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Edinboro Lake?

Edinboro Lake 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 Edinboro Lake?

Edinboro Lake is owned by BOROUGH OF EDINBORO (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Edinboro Lake built?

Edinboro Lake was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Edinboro Lake?

Edinboro 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 Edinboro Lake?

Edinboro Lake has a dam height of 18 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 Edinboro Lake last inspected?

Edinboro Lake was last inspected on October 8, 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.