What would happen if Raystown Dam broke?

If the dam failure is severe, a large amount of water will enter riverbeds and overflow the stream banks for miles. There may be significant environmental vulnerability, depending on the contents of the water and the path it takes.

What are the chances of a dam breaking?

Water dam failures occur at a rate of roughly 1-in-10,000 per year, mostly in smaller dams. Tailings dams fail much more frequently, at a rate of roughly 1-in-1000 per year (2010 study), or 3-4 per year worldwide.

When was Raystown Dam built?

Raystown Dam and Raystown Lake are located in south central Pennsylvania in Huntingdon County, near the borough of Huntingdon. Construction of the dam began in October 1968 and was completed in October 1973. The Allegheny Electric Cooperative (AEC) operates the Raystown Hydroelectric Project (William F.

What will happen if a dam breaks?

If a dam breaks, bridges downstream will be destroyed. Electricity is cut off in the river valley and it could take weeks to reach full production again. Breaks in the other dams would mean high water levels in Boden, and some areas being evacuated.

Can you build on Raystown Lake?

It is the largest lake that is entirely within Pennsylvania. The original lake was built by the Simpson family of Huntingdon as a hydroelectric project. The current 8,300-acre (34 km2) Raystown Lake was completed in 1973 by the Army Corps of Engineers….

Does Raystown Lake freeze?

A vast majority of Raystown Lake is frozen over thanks to the polar vortex and frigid temperatures. Though some boat launches do have open water around them right now, they could still freeze, said Allen Gwinn, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger with Raystown Lake.

How many dams break per year?

Dam failures1 in the U.S. are a somewhat frequent occurrence in the U.S. Over the period-of-record there have been an average of nearly 10 failures a year, considering dams of all sizes. Many failures are of small dams, that result in limited flooding and as a result have limited downstream impact.

What dam broke recently?

Around 5:45 p.m. on May 19, 2020, the Edenville Dam failed and allowed the contents of Wixom Lake to rush downstream toward the Sanford Dam, which quickly was inundated and failed hours later. More than 10,000 people were evacuated that evening as floodwaters rose to record levels.

Can you drink alcohol at Raystown Lake?

“Unlike a motor vehicle, there’s no open container prohibition on a boat. On the facility out there, insofar as the shoreline or the lake, alcohol is not prohibited, but our expectation is that all the boat operators remain physically capable of operating the boat, which means they need to be sober.”

Has any dam broken?

Dam failures are comparatively rare, but can cause immense damage and loss of life when they occur. In 1975 the failure of the Banqiao Reservoir Dam and other dams in Henan Province, China caused more casualties than any other dam failure in history.

Are there snakes in Raystown Lake?

A flood control dam along the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River formed this 28-mile-long lake. Its shoreline snakes and bends 118 miles around the lake’s perimeter creating jutting points, v-shaped inlets and deep coves. The lake has a healthy fish population, including striped bass and gizzard shad.

How many dams have broken in the US?

More than 91,000 dams dot the nation—and roughly 15,500 of them could cause fatalities if they failed, according to the National Inventory of Dams. Most of these dams were built many decades ago. By 2025, 70 percent of them will be more than a half century old, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

How big is the dam at Raystown Lake?

Created by damming the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, this 8,300 acre Army Corps of Engineers project provides flood control, recreational opportunities, and power generation via a hydroelectric generating station located at the Raystown Dam. Raystown Dam historical marker.

Where is the Raystown Branch Juniata River Dam?

LOCATION. –Lat 40`26’06”, long 78`00’25”, Huntingdon County, Hydrologic Unit 02050303, at Raystown Dam on Raystown Branch Juniata River, 3.5 mi south of Huntingdon, and 5.7 mi upstream from mouth. DRAINAGE AREA. –959 square miles. PERIOD OF RECORD. –October 1972 to current year. GAGE.

Where is the Rays dam in Huntingdon County?

LOCATION. –Lat 40`25’44”, long 77`59’29”, Huntingdon County, Hydrologic Unit 02050303, on left bank 1.0 mi downstream from Raystown Dam on Township Route 430, 4.0 mi south of Huntingdon, and 4.7 mi upstream from mouth. DRAINAGE AREA. –960 square miles. PERIOD OF RECORD. –January 1946 to current year.

What to do at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County?

Bring your boots, kayak, mountain bike and fishing pole to really get the most out of your time in Huntingdon County… WildRiver Waterpark is located at Lake Raystown Resort. Interesting museums and historic places to visit throughout the Raystown Lake Region.