Keen Lake

VAN AUKEN CREEK· Wayne, Pennsylvania· Built 1851· Earth· 26 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Keen Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1851 and is 175 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	26 ft (taller than 58.2% in PA)
Dam Length	200 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage	887 acre-ft

Surface Area	92 acres
Drainage Area	15 sq mi
Year Completed	1851 (175 years old)
NID ID	PA00092

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 21, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

KLCCR, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Little Keen Pond

Wayne, PA

Significant Hazard 12 ft

Lake Ladore

Wayne, PA

High Hazard 28 ft

Mican Pond

Wayne, PA

Significant Hazard 8 ft

Elk Lake

Wayne, PA

High Hazard 11 ft

Prompton Dam

Wayne, PA

High Hazard

White Oak Pond

Wayne, PA

High Hazard 26 ft

Hetzell Pond

Wayne, PA

Low Hazard 8 ft

Glass Pond No 2

Wayne, PA

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Keen Lake?

Keen 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 Keen Lake?

Keen Lake is owned by KLCCR, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Keen Lake built?

Keen Lake was completed in 1851, making it 175 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 Keen Lake?

Keen 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 Keen Lake?

Keen Lake has a dam height of 26 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 Keen Lake last inspected?

Keen Lake was last inspected on October 21, 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.