Side Quest: 1911 Muddy Run Railroad Dam

There are so many fascinating places to explore at Muddy Run that hiding the Jewel of the Susquehanna from the 2023 Uncharted Lancaster treasure hunt there seemed like a perfect fit.

Just looking at the huge earthen dam from below that holds back the 1,000-acre lake is enough to give you a sense of vertigo.

Fun Fact
When Muddy Run was completed in 1968, it was the largest pump-storage facility in the world, with a capacity of 1,071 megawatts. The upper reservoir is a rambling 1,000-acre lake, 400 feet above the river’s elevation.

On the section of Muddy Run between River Road and the Susquehanna River along the actual creek of Muddy Run is this 1911 dam that once provided water for the Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad (C&PD).

Just downstream is a series of concrete pillars that cradled a large diameter pipe that transported this water to the thirsty steam engines below.

If you want to visit, you have to want it badly because getting there means choosing between wet feet or a ridiculously steep descent. My watch said I climbed 47 flights of steps getting in and out.

Further down still is the culvert that passes beneath the C&PD railroad. You can find it where Muddy Run intersects the tracks.

Where To Go

If you want to visit the 1911 Muddy Run Railroad Dam, there is a large parking area along River Road. Here are the GPS coordinates: 39.823633, -76.307662. Remember that hunting is allowed on this property, so be sure to dress appropriately. Horseback riding is also allowed.

Here is the path you can take. Most of the trail is an unpaved access road you follow until you reach Muddy Run. From there, you wade your way through the creek until you reach the dam.

The dam itself can be found at these coordinates: 39.812417, -76.302978. The culvert can be reached by following the creek down towards the Susquehanna River.

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Visit Virtually

This location comes courtesy of Topo Ranger. He likely has the best Instagram feed you aren’t following. If you would rather visit virtually, check out TopoRanger‘s YouTube video, where he tours the area. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/hDkGlWeuFEU

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Learn More

📖 Learn about more unique places like this when you step off the beaten path with Uncharted Lancaster: Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Adam Zurn. This one-of-a-kind 239-page guidebook uncovers 56 fascinating sites, from the county’s very own fountain of youth to the oldest continuously operating short-line railroad in the western hemisphere.

Packed with history, local stories, and GPS locations, this book is your ticket to exploring the mysterious corners of Lancaster like never before. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a history buff, or just looking for a unique adventure, this field guide will spark your curiosity and send you exploring. Start your adventure here.

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