Balfour Lake Dam

Stony Pond Brook· Essex, New York· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Balfour Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.9% in NY)
Dam Length84 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area124 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
NID IDNY17042

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: December 22, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

David Cohen

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Balfour Lake Dam?

Balfour 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 Balfour Lake Dam?

Balfour Lake Dam is owned by David Cohen (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Balfour Lake Dam?

Balfour 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 Balfour Lake Dam?

Balfour Lake Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Balfour Lake Dam last inspected?

Balfour Lake Dam was last inspected on December 22, 2015. 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.