On Thursday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced federal funding for dam repair on the Little Schuylkill River in Schuylkill County and Middle Creek in Snyder County.
The funding, from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will be used to repair dams—helping with flood prevention and watershed restoration in the region.
The funding flows through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service and will be contracted out in the near future.
“Dams in Schuylkill and Snyder Counties prevent flooding and protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources and watershed lands,” said Senator Casey. “This funding, made possible by the infrastructure law, will begin the process to repair these dams before disaster strikes. For too long, critical infrastructure needs in our rural communities have not gotten the investments and attention they deserve. The infrastructure law is finally changing that.”
In Schuylkill County, the funding will go towards efforts to repair five dams (PA-422, 422A, 423, 424 and 425) on the Little Schuylkill River. Four out of five of the dams are in Pennsylvania’s top 25 dams for Failure Index. The dams were constructed between 1962 and 1968 with 50-year project lives.
In Snyder County, one dam (PA-637) will be rehabilitated to meet current criteria for a high hazard dam and to extend the dam’s service life. The dam provides flood damage reduction benefits to properties downstream.
In Schuylkill County, the funding will go towards efforts to repair five dams (PA-422, 422A, 423, 424 and 425) on the Little Schuylkill River. Four out of five of the dams are in Pennsylvania’s top 25 dams for Failure Index. The dams were constructed between 1962 and 1968 with 50-year project lives.
In Snyder County, one dam (PA-637) will be rehabilitated to meet current criteria for a high hazard dam and to extend the dam’s service life. The dam provides flood damage reduction benefits to properties downstream.