C.W. Bill Young Lock and Dam, located on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania, serves a primary purpose of navigation and was completed in 1934 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This gravity dam is 36 feet high with a length of 1550 feet, providing storage of up to 16800 acre-feet of water. The dam features a multi-arch core type and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 1436 feet.

Despite being characterized as having a moderate risk of failure due to erosion around the lock walls, the dam has operated without incident for over 80 years. To mitigate this risk, the US Army Corps of Engineers regularly conducts emergency exercises, updates their action plan, and monitors river levels to ensure the safety of the dam and surrounding areas. In the event of a failure, downstream flooding is not expected due to the dam's relatively short height and location within the river banks.

Water resource and climate enthusiasts can stay informed about the operations and risk management measures of C.W. Bill Young Lock and Dam by accessing river level information and forecasts through the provided link. The dam plays a vital role in supporting navigation on the Allegheny River, and efforts are continuously made to ensure its safe and reliable operation for the benefit of the regional economy and recreation activities.