Allen Lake Dam

TR-OTSEGO LAKE· Otsego, New York· Built 1940· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Allen Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 12.4% in NY)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage215 acre-ft
Normal Storage205 acre-ft
Surface Area51 acres
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDNY01267

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: April 12, 1994
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

RICHFIELD SPRINGS CORPORATION

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Allen Lake Dam?

Allen 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 Allen Lake Dam?

Allen Lake Dam is owned by RICHFIELD SPRINGS CORPORATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Allen Lake Dam built?

Allen Lake Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Allen Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Allen Lake Dam?

Allen Lake Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Allen Lake Dam last inspected?

Allen Lake Dam was last inspected on April 12, 1994. 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.