Holtwood

Susquehanna River· Lancaster, Pennsylvania· Built 1910· Gravity· 55 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Holtwood is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 55 ft (taller than 86.9% in PA)
Dam Length3,075 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage19.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage19.0K acre-ft
Surface Area2,400 acres
Drainage Area26,794 sq mi
Max Discharge800,500 cfs
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
NID IDPA00854

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: Yes
Last Inspection: November 15, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

BIF III Holtwood LLC

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Holtwood?

Holtwood 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 Holtwood?

Holtwood is owned by BIF III Holtwood LLC (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Holtwood built?

Holtwood was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Holtwood?

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

How tall is Holtwood?

Holtwood has a dam height of 55 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 Holtwood last inspected?

Holtwood was last inspected on November 15, 2021. 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.