Upper Birchwood Lake

TR DINGMANS CREEK· Pike, Pennsylvania· Earth· 23 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Upper Birchwood Lake is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. 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 Length	750 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	283 acre-ft
Normal Storage	153 acre-ft

Surface Area	22 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	PA01779

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: January 15, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

BIRCHWOOD LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

East Birchwood Lake

Pike, PA

High Hazard 11 ft

Lower Birchwood Lake

Pike, PA

High Hazard 12 ft

Lake Lattimore

Pike, PA

High Hazard 15 ft

Pine Crest Lake

Pike, PA

Low Hazard 8 ft

Woodpecker Lake

Pike, PA

Low Hazard 8 ft

Upper Rickards

Pike, PA

High Hazard 9 ft

Lower Rickards

Pike, PA

High Hazard 12 ft

Adams Brook

Pike, PA

Low Hazard 10 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Birchwood Lake?

Upper Birchwood 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 Upper Birchwood Lake?

Upper Birchwood Lake is owned by BIRCHWOOD LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Upper Birchwood Lake?

Upper Birchwood 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 Upper Birchwood Lake?

Upper Birchwood 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 Upper Birchwood Lake last inspected?

Upper Birchwood Lake was last inspected on January 15, 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.