Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam

TR-BASHER KILL· Orange, New York· Built 1914· Concrete· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1914 and is 112 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 46.3% in NY)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage350 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge320 cfs
Year Completed1914 (112 years old)
NID IDNY00592

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: June 17, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision - Faciltiies Planning

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam?

Bear Swamp Reservoir 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam?

Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam is owned by NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision - Faciltiies Planning (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam built?

Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam was completed in 1914, making it 112 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam?

Bear Swamp Reservoir 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam?

Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam was last inspected on June 17, 2011. 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.