Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)
Key Takeaway
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 50 ft (taller than 84% in PA) |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 66.4K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 17.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,680 acres |
| Drainage Area | 57 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
| NID ID | PA00900 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
DCNR
State Government
Nearby Dams
Stoneboro (Pa-474)
Mercer, PA
High Hazard 30 ftPine Run (Pa-491)
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High Hazard 20 ftClark Mills (Pa-490)
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High Hazard 45 ftLake Latonka
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High Hazard 34 ftCulbertson
Venango, PA
Low Hazard 12 ftHadley (Pa-489)
Mercer, PA
High Hazard 51 ftCresswell Upper
Mercer, PA
Significant Hazard 5 ftCresswell Lower
Mercer, PA
Significant Hazard 15 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) 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 Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) is owned by DCNR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) built?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) has a dam height of 50 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 Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) last inspected?
Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) was last inspected on September 9, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.