Lower Woods Pond

EAST BRANCH DYBERRY CREEK· Wayne, Pennsylvania· Built 1848· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Woods Pond is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1848 and is 178 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 21 ft (taller than 46.9% in PA)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage890 acre-ft
Surface Area91 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1848 (178 years old)
NID IDPA00152

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: April 2, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Woods Pond?

Lower Woods Pond 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 Lower Woods Pond?

Lower Woods Pond is owned by PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Woods Pond built?

Lower Woods Pond was completed in 1848, making it 178 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 Lower Woods Pond?

Lower Woods Pond 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 Lower Woods Pond?

Lower Woods Pond has a dam height of 21 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 Lower Woods Pond last inspected?

Lower Woods Pond was last inspected on April 2, 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.