Alder Lake Dam

ALDER CREEK· Ulster, New York· Built 1994· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Alder Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1994 and is 32 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 49.5% in NY)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage480 acre-ft
Normal Storage397 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge400 cfs
Year Completed1994 (32 years old)
NID IDNY01222

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 28, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC - DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Alder Lake Dam?

Alder Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Alder Lake Dam?

Alder Lake Dam is owned by NYS DEC - DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Alder Lake Dam built?

Alder Lake Dam was completed in 1994, making it 32 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Alder Lake Dam?

Alder Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Alder Lake Dam?

Alder Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Alder Lake Dam last inspected?

Alder Lake Dam was last inspected on August 28, 2012. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.