Silver Lake

BENNETT RUN· York, Pennsylvania· Built 1910· Earth· 6 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 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 6 ft (taller than 0.4% in PA)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
NID IDPA00868

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: December 9, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

SILVER LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Silver Lake?

Silver 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 Silver Lake?

Silver Lake is owned by SILVER LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Silver Lake built?

Silver Lake was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Silver Lake?

Silver 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 Silver Lake?

Silver Lake has a dam height of 6 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 Silver Lake last inspected?

Silver Lake was last inspected on December 9, 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.