Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 P.S. Counties § 5147. Prevention and control of floods

(a) The board of commissioners may borrow, appropriate and expend money, and may acquire by purchase or dedication real property, or any interest therein, for the purpose of cleansing, regulating, improving and controlling rivers, streams and other bodies of water and storm water drainage systems lying within the boundaries of the county, either in whole or in part, for the prevention and control of floods. They may make contracts and expenditures for the cleansing, maintaining, regulation, improvement and control of such waters and drainage systems and for the prevention and control of floods by storage or retaining reservoirs, or otherwise, in parts of such waters beyond the limits of the county or of the Commonwealth, when, in their judgment, such expenditures may be necessary and for the benefit of the county.

(b) The commissioners may also make appropriations and expenditures for the purpose of investigating and examining or for assisting in the investigation and examination of the condition of such waters, within or without the bounds of the county or of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of facilitating the ends aforesaid.

(c) The commissioners may enter into such arrangements and agreements with the Secretary of Defense or other public authorities empowered to act in the premises under any law of the United States or of this or any other State, as may be necessary and proper for such purposes, with a view to harmonious and efficient action and proportionate contribution as nearly as may be arrived at or be practicable.

(d) In exercising the powers herein conferred, the county commissioners may, in their discretion, subject to the limitation of the Constitution, issue interest bearing bonds of the county in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Borrowing Law.  1