Raccoon Creek

TRAVERSE CREEK· Beaver, Pennsylvania· Built 1948· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Raccoon Creek is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 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 45 ft (taller than 81.2% in PA)
Dam Length965 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Drainage Area19 sq mi
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDPA00262

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: March 26, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

DCNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Raccoon Creek?

Raccoon Creek 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 Raccoon Creek?

Raccoon Creek is owned by DCNR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Raccoon Creek built?

Raccoon Creek was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Raccoon Creek?

Raccoon Creek 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 Raccoon Creek?

Raccoon Creek has a dam height of 45 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 Raccoon Creek last inspected?

Raccoon Creek was last inspected on March 26, 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.