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 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 bad 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 intersections 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.

.

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

.

Adventure Awaits!

Never miss a new post or article by signing up below and following Uncharted Lancaster on Facebook or Instagram.

---

Read More

4,000-year-old emoji discovered on Susquehanna River island

If you think emojis are a fad, think again. This 😐 neutral face carved rock unearthed on Piney Island, Lancaster County, in the Susquehanna River, is believed to be between 2,700 to 4,300 years old. It is the oldest known representation of a human face found in Pennsylvania. Click the link to read more, including where Piney Island is located.

Ancient Native American eel weirs slumber beneath the waters of the Susquehanna

Before the Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza, Native Americans were constructing giant stone structures on the Susquehanna. These mysterious masonry-shaped Vs were eel weirs used to catch the adult fish as they swam to the ocean. One of the largest can be found near Danville, PA. Click the link to learn more and exactly where to find it and others!

Ice on the Susquehanna

Ice on the Susquehanna is a femme fatale—mysteriously beautiful and potentially dangerous. More than once, this naturally occurring phenomenon has had catastrophic effects on the Susquehanna Valley. Here are six unique ice on the Susquehanna stories.

Susquehanna River Fun Facts

Here are some fun facts about Lancaster County’s greatest body of water: the Susquehanna River. Click the link to read all six.

---