Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475) Dam (Lake Wilhelm)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Lake Wilhelm (Pa-475)
Other Name: LAKE WILHELM
NID ID: PA00900
Longitude: -80.08667
Latitude: 41.3683
County: MERCER
River: SANDY CREEK
State: PA
Owner Name: DCNR
Owner Type: State
Dam Designer: NRCS
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Earth (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: SK
Purposes: Flood Control
Year Completed: 1969
Dam Length: 500 feet
Dam Height: 50 feet
Structural Height: 43 feet
Hydraulic Height: 41 feet
Maximum Discharge: 10000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 66400 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 17825 acre-feet
Surface Area: 1680 acres
Drainage Area: 56.5 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-06-19
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: PADEP
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Outlet Gates: U
Volume of Dam: 61347 cubic yards
Federal Funding Agency: LAKE WILHELM
Federal Design Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture;
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Formerly Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
Federal Construction Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture;
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Formerly Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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