Valley Girl Views: White Deer Dam - Where Watstontown Gets it's Clear Water

White Deer Mountain Water Company Dam

"Where Watstontown Pa Gets It's Pure Water"

The Dam was a popular recreation spot throughout the early 1900s, at least until 1940. Both company picnics, and family picnics were held here.

November 1901

This is a postcard from the original White Deer Mountain Water Company on White Deer Creek. It's located about 5 miles up the White Deer Pike. Pennsylvania American Water Company is at that location now.

The original dam is still there, but it is now fenced in on the private property of the Pennsylvania Water Company.

From the 1907 Record & Star Newspaper

Watsontown’s Water Supply

Has always been taken from white deer Creek, Union County. For a number of years it was taken from a point near the mouth of the stream but since the purchased by the present management in 1889, a 16 inch pipe has been laid 5 1/2 miles to the dam, illustrated and described below.

The dam of the white deer mountain water company is located 6 miles West of Watsontown. It was completed in 1890. And the record and star of June 29th of that year the following article appeared from which some pertinent extracts are made. It must be added however that the lapse of seven years has fully proven the wisdom of the choice of this source of water supply. Recently the state has purchased practically all the lands lying along the Creek, for a forestry reservation, to be guarded by Game and Fish wardens, thus ensuring permanent and effective protection for the contamination of the water. The article reads:

“The location of the dam shows judgment and foresight and is construction the work of skilled engineer. The dam is constructed between two Bluffs, is built of the best concrete that will last for ages, it is not only substantial in every way but beautifully finished, the water pouring over its cement capped surface in one continuous transparent sheet over 200 feet in length. every gallon of water that enters the pipe passes through the settling canal, and then to the intake, which is built of concrete and lined with cement, and then through three sets of screens of 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16th inch mesh, respectively, thus making it impossible for anything to enter that might contaminate the water.

The supply of water is simply sufficient for all demands upon it from a drainage area of over 60 square miles white deer furnishes a supply unexcelled anywhere. From its source to the dam there is nothing but mountains, without human habitation near its banks. A strict measurement of the stream shows a drainage area 5,000,000 gallons every 24 hours, which is far beyond anticipated requirements. The capacity of the pipe is 2,000,000 gallons every 24 hours.

The first move in this project was made in 1894 by our townsman Jay. I. Higby and his associates. In the work Mr. higbee has been ably seconded by Mr. S. H. Hicks of Philadelphia, who did much towards the financial organization of the scheme Mr. J Thompson Baker of Lewisburg, is also credited with valuable aid in many ways.

Nothing adds more to the reputation and desirability of a town nothing could be more conducive to the health comfort and convenience of the people than abundance of pure, water, and this is supplied to the limit of the most exacting demand of the white deer water company.”

The grounds are now surrounded by 8 strand wire fence, shutting off the possibility of animals trespassing upon the plant. The grounds have been sodded, underbrush cleared away and every possible precaution taken to maintain the purity of the water. An employee of the company resides at the dam and gives its entire time to the supervision of the property.

A feature of the white deer mountain water of special interest to manufacturers is the fact that it does not encrust steam boilers, thus eliminating a source of great annoyance and expense.

Watsontown may well boast of its water supply. None other can compare with its softness clearness, purity and sweetness. It possesses a sparkle at all seasons that is truly delicious, and one cannot draw it fresh and and lay down the glass without giving audible or silent acknowledgement of its superiority. It comes from the wild mountains and is perfection. Deer and grouse drink at its source. Men's polluting presence is not found there.

[Unreadable line] is worthwhile to live in watsontown just to drink [unreadable line]

and any community depending upon ordinary streams big or little drinks contamination, inviting disease and death.

Watsontown's immunity from disease epidemics and its low death rate is as much due to its pure water as to its healthful location.

The white deer mountain water company is a healthy corporation engaged in most commendable health and comfort giving enterprise.

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