
Project Manager: Terry Durbin
> PROJECT DESCRIPTION
East Branch Dam is one of 16 flood control reservoirs within the Pittsburgh District that provides for flood risk reduction within the Upper Ohio River basin. Flood control, water quality control, fish/wildlife, and recreation are all operating and authorized purposes at East Branch Dam; however, storage is only allocated for flood control and water quality control. When not operating for flood control, East Branch Dam maintains a required temperature-flow schedule downstream on the Clarion River.
East Branch Dam is located on the Clarion River approximately six miles northeast of Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, and is the only project along the Clarion River main stem reservoir system. The reservoir created by the dam, East Branch Clarion River Lake, has a surface area of 1,160 acres under normal operating conditions. The drainage area of the Clarion River basin above East Branch Dam is approximately 72 square miles.
> PROJECT STATUS 99 % Complete
- Completed dam safety investigation into seepage-related concerns (2008)
- Implemented interim risk reduction measures (2008)
- Completed Dam Safety Modification Study - Assessed multiple permanent repair strategies (2010)
- Completed design of full depth and length cutoff wall
- Awarded $132.5 million Cutoff Wall contract (2014)
- Accepted Cutoff Wall construction (2020)
- Removed interim risk reduction measures (2020)
- Return to normal reservoir and campground operating conditions (2021)
> PROJECT AUTHORIZATIONS
- Flood Control Act of 1938 (P.L. 75-761)
- The estimated total project cost is $280 million
> PROJECT MISSIONS
- Flood Control - Fish/Wildlife
- Recreation - Water Quality
> PROJECT BENEFITS
- Public benefits for flood control, recreation and other purposes total $56.9 million annually