Wildwood Lake

PAXTON CREEK· Dauphin, Pennsylvania· Built 1908· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wildwood Lake is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 23.9% in PA)
Dam Length1,300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage790 acre-ft
Normal Storage614 acre-ft
Surface Area46 acres
Drainage Area18 sq mi
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDPA00274

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 11, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

COUNTY OF DAUPHIN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Hidden Valley

Dauphin, PA

High Hazard 22 ft

Spring Hill

Cumberland, PA

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Marsh Run Pond

York, PA

Unknown 9 ft

Yingst

Dauphin, PA

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Upper

Perry, PA

Low Hazard 22 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wildwood Lake?

Wildwood Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Wildwood Lake?

Wildwood Lake is owned by COUNTY OF DAUPHIN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wildwood Lake built?

Wildwood Lake was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 Wildwood Lake?

Wildwood Lake 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 Wildwood Lake?

Wildwood Lake has a dam height of 14 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 Wildwood Lake last inspected?

Wildwood Lake was last inspected on July 11, 2016. 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.