Sen. Argall, Rep. Knowles Announce Funding for Dam Repairs

HARRISBURG – State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) and State Representative Jerry Knowles (R-124) today announced a grant award of $5.3 million to repair the Lower and Upper Owl Creek Dams.

The Borough of Tamaqua will receive the grants to construct spillways, flatten the downstream embankment slope and raise dam height for the Lower Owl Creek Dam and Upper Owl Creek Dam. These projects would help to protect approximately 500 residents and three businesses that could be affected by a dam failure.

"It is important for the state to take action to protect the lives and property of those who would be affected by a dam failure," Argall said. "I am thankful that this funding will help to reduce this risk for Schuylkill County residents in the future."

More than $17 million in grants from the H2O PA High Hazard Unsafe Dam grant program will help to protect approximately 6,500 residents and more than 70 area businesses that could be affected by failures to local dams.

"We must fund repairs to our dams and other flood control projects in order to prevent costly and catastrophic disasters in the future," said Knowles. "We have no obligation more fundamental than the safety and well being of our citizens."

"The Owl Creek dams are a valuable and beautiful natural resource, and we would not be able to make these much-needed improvements without this funding," said Tamaqua Borough Council President Micah Gursky. "I am thankful that this funding will allow us to preserve this vital resource for future generations."

The Lower and Upper Owl Creek Dams are two of five Schuylkill County dam improvement projects to receive state funding.