Somerset Lakes Basin No 2 Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Somerset Lakes Basin No 2, located in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1991 for flood risk reduction on TR Broad Run.


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Summary

With a dam height of 12 feet and a length of 250 feet, it has a storage capacity of 4 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1.9 acre-feet on its 0.62-acre surface area. The dam is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and significant hazard potential are managed effectively.

The dam, classified as a buttress type with an unlisted foundation, is not associated with any other structures and has no spillway or outlet gates specified. Despite its fair condition assessment, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and risk management measures remain unreported. The last inspection in 2019 revealed the dam to be in fair condition, and its inspection frequency is set at every two years to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction. With significant hazard potential, the dam serves a vital role in mitigating flood risks in the area, under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Somerset Lakes Basin No 2 stands as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Managed by a private entity and regulated by state authorities, the dam plays a key role in protecting the surrounding community from the impacts of potential flooding events on TR Broad Run. With its fair condition and significant hazard potential, the dam's ongoing inspections and maintenance ensure its effectiveness in safeguarding the area from flood risks while highlighting the importance of proactive dam management and emergency preparedness in mitigating potential hazards.

Year Completed

1991

Dam Length

250

Dam Height

12

River Or Stream

TR BROAD RUN

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

0.62

Drainage Area

0.22

Nid Storage

4

Hazard Potential

Significant

Foundations

Unlisted/Unknown

Nid Height

12
       
Seasonal Comparison

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Dam Data Reference

Condition Assessment

Satisfactory
No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
Fair
No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
Poor A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.
Unsatisfactory
A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
Not Rated
The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High
Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
Significant
Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
Low
Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
Undetermined
Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.