Mead in Warren County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kinzua Dam

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

1. Kinzua Dam Marker

Inscription.
Length of Dam.......................1,897'
Maximum Height of Dam........179'
Earthfill, in Cubic Yards..3,000,000
Concrete, in Cubic Yards...500,000
Penstocks, Diameter in Ft.........19'
(Pipes Though Dam)
Spillway
204Ft. Length
18-20 Ft. Water Depth

Kinzua Dam Authorized by the flood Control Acts of 1936, 1938, and 1941, actual construction was begun by the US Army Corp of Engineers in 1960 and completed in 1965. The main purpose of the dam is flood control on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. The dam controls drainage on a watershed of 2180 square miles or an area twice the size of the state of Rhode Island. Side benefits derived from the dam include drought control, hydroelectric power production and recreation.

The total cost of construction was approximately $108 million. Kinzua more than paid for itself in 1972 when tropical storm Agnes dumped continual heavy rains on the watershed, bringing the reservoir to within three feet of its maximum storage capacity. Over $247 million in downstream damages were prevented.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.

Location. 41° 50.274′

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N, 79° 0.312′ W. Marker is in Mead, Pennsylvania, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Kinzua Road (Pennsylvania Route 59) 2.4 miles east of Grand Army of the Republic Highway (U.S. 6). Marker is on a public walkway parallel to PA Route 59. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1205 Kinzua Road, Warren PA 16365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Allegheny River Watershed (approx. 0.6 miles away); Seneca Crossing (approx. 4.4 miles away); Conewango (approx. 7 miles away); Warren County (approx. 7.3 miles away); Struthers-Wetmore-Schimmelfeng House (approx. 7.4 miles away); Struthers Library Building (approx. 7.4 miles away); Warren Suspension Bridge (approx. 7.4 miles away); Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (approx. 7.4 miles away).

More about this marker. A free parallel parking lot is on the reservoir side of the dam.

Regarding Kinzua Dam. The small segment of the top of the dam currently open to the public, during certain hours, was reduced after Sept. 11, 2001, and the roadway to the base of the dam was closed to pedestrian viewers. A small but very nice and interesting visitor center is located just downstream with plenty of free parking. Visitor Center hours are very limited after Labor

Kinzua Dam and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

2. Kinzua Dam and Marker

Day. A relatively small circular reservoir is located on the opposite side of PA 59 on top of the mountain. It is visible by satellite image. During hours of low electricity demand, water is pumped from the Allegheny reservoir to the small mountaintop reservoir, then released back to the Allegheny Reservoir to generate power during hours of high demand.

Kinzua Dam & Allegheny Reservoir image. Click for more information.

via US Army Corps of Engineers, unknown

3. Kinzua Dam & Allegheny Reservoir

US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District website entry
Click for more information.

Kinzua Dam Marker and Walkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

4. Kinzua Dam Marker and Walkway

Left to right: PA 59 behind guard rail; parallel walkway becomes a nature trail as it proceedes downstream to the visitors center and main parking lot; Kinzua Dam marker.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

5. Kinzua Dam

Kinzua Dam - Reservoir Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

6. Kinzua Dam - Reservoir Side

Fish are typically visible near the surface behind the dam.

Kinzua Dam Date Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

7. Kinzua Dam Date Sign

Zoomed view, reservoir side.

Kinzua Dam Sign and Parking image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 25, 2014

8. Kinzua Dam Sign and Parking

The sign is at the top of the dam. This is the smaller parking area on the reservoir side of the dam, parallel to PA 59. The Kinzua Dam marker is a short distance behind me.

Kinzua Dam at Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, July 1994

9. Kinzua Dam at Base

The dam base has since been closed to tourists. On this day, only enough water is being released to keep the Allegheny River flowing.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 3. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 7, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.