Rebuilding Pennsylvania

Program Facts

Governor Rendell has identified 24 state-owned high-hazard dams that need to be made safe by 2010
High hazard dams cannot handle 50% of the estimated maximum precipitation an area could receive AND if the dams were to fail due to the current state of the structure, there would be significant risk of property damage and loss of life
The PA Fish & Boat Commission manages 16 of these dams*
To repair the 16 dams managed by the Commission, an estimated $78 million in funding is needed
As part of the Governor’s Rebuilding Pennsylvania program, a total of $37 million in capital funds will be directed to remediated state-owned dams over the next two years
The $37 million in capital funds for the repairs has not yet been approved by the General Assembly
An additional $40 million in local or matching funds will need to be identified and committed to fully restore or repair all 16 dams
Other options include lake level lowering, dam breaching or dam removal
The criteria to be used to identify the highest priority dam repairs include the number of people impacted by any potential failure, cost of repairs, immediacy of needed repairs, contributions and funding commitments by local partners, economic impact of the dam structure, recreational fishing and boating opportunities, and other variables or identified benefits
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission supports Governor Rendell’s initiative

* Hereford Manor Lakes encompasses two lakes/dams, Upper and Lower

High-Hazard Dams - PFBC Managed
PA map showing deficient dams