Saw Mill

SAWMILL RUN· Montgomery, Pennsylvania· Built 1968· Earth· 47 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Saw Mill is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 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	47 ft (taller than 82.9% in PA)
Dam Length	1,335 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	740 acre-ft

Drainage Area	4 sq mi
Year Completed	1968 (58 years old)
NID ID	PA00324

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: July 2, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

BOROUGH OF NORRISTOWN

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Saw Mill?

Saw Mill 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 Saw Mill?

Saw Mill is owned by BOROUGH OF NORRISTOWN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Saw Mill built?

Saw Mill was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Saw Mill?

Saw Mill serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Saw Mill?

Saw Mill has a dam height of 47 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 Saw Mill last inspected?

Saw Mill was last inspected on July 2, 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.