Three Key Facts:
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- Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County received $7.65 million from the Biden infrastructure law to fund essential improvements to the dam, enhancing flood protection, water quality, and recreation.
- The funding will support the installation of an emergency generator, equipment replacements, road repairs, and lead paint removal—ensuring safe operations even during power outages.
- Since 1979, Blue Marsh Dam has protected communities in the Schuylkill River basin, providing clean drinking water, preventing over $109 million in potential damages from floods, and attracting nearly a million visitors annually.
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Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County received $7.65 million in federal funding from Joe Biden’s clean energy plan. The Army Corps of Engineers will use the money to make critical upgrades to the Blue Marsh Dam, which will protect the region from flooding, preserve access to clean drinking water, and offer more local recreational opportunities.
The federal funding supports several essential projects at Blue Marsh Lake: installing an emergency generator at the dam’s operating tower; replacing maintenance equipment; repairing access roads and removing lead paint on a bridge connected to the operating tower. The measures improve safety and ensure the dam can still operate during a power failure.
“This new funding from the infrastructure law will help keep the dams on these lakes functional and make it possible for local residents and visitors to swim, fish and enjoy time outdoors with their loved ones,” said Senator Bob Casey, a key advocate for the funding.
Since its construction in 1979, the Blue Marsh Dam has played a key role in flood control in the Schuylkill River basin, helped preserve access to clean drinking water, and prevented more than $109 million in potential damages.
Blue Marsh Lake and the dam serve as vital resources for downstream communities, including Philadelphia, by providing clean water and protecting the region from flood damage. The lake is also a boon to local tourism, attracting nearly one million visitors each year.
