Basswood Pond Dam

TR-BUTTERNUT CREEK· Otsego, New York· Built 1958· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Basswood Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 56.3% in NY)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage76 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge989 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDNY01041

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: July 11, 1996
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC

State Government

Nearby Dams

Earle Peterson Dam

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Vincent Manzo Dam & Dike

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Burke Pond Dam

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Bed Bug Hill Dam

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Crystal Lake Dam

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Hartwick Reservoir Dam

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Significant Hazard 23 ft

Moe Pond Dam

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Significant Hazard 19 ft

Rodgers & Maine INC Wild Dam

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Low Hazard 11 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Basswood Pond Dam?

Basswood Pond 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 Basswood Pond Dam?

Basswood Pond Dam is owned by NYS DEC (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Basswood Pond Dam built?

Basswood Pond Dam was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Basswood Pond Dam?

Basswood Pond 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 Basswood Pond Dam?

Basswood Pond Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Basswood Pond Dam last inspected?

Basswood Pond Dam was last inspected on July 11, 1996. 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.