Wanderings
Page 1

Since settlement in the 1600's, the Lehigh River has been subject to major flooding several times each century. Flood waters exceeding 30 feet above normal would rise over the retaining walls causing millions of dollars in property damage and significant damage to bridges and wastewater treatment facilities.

After the major flooding caused by Hurricane Diane in 1955, the US Army Corps of Engineers was asked to develop a drainage control plan. Part of the plan was to construct a dam below the confluence of the Bear Creek and Lehigh Rivers. The dam is 234 feet high and was completed in 1961.