Placid Lake

LAUREL RUN· Carbon, Pennsylvania· Built 1963· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Placid Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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 23 ft (taller than 51% in PA)
Dam Length2,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Normal Storage155 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDPA00616

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 13, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

HOLIDAY POCONO CIVIC ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Placid Lake?

Placid 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 Placid Lake?

Placid Lake is owned by HOLIDAY POCONO CIVIC ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Placid Lake built?

Placid Lake was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Placid Lake?

Placid 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 Placid Lake?

Placid Lake has a dam height of 23 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 Placid Lake last inspected?

Placid Lake was last inspected on April 13, 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.