Boreas Ponds Dam

BOREAS RIVER· Essex, New York· Rockfill· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Boreas Ponds Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 42.9% in NY)
Dam Length196 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage700 acre-ft
Normal Storage350 acre-ft
Surface Area126 acres
Max Discharge1,120 cfs
NID IDNY01379

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: October 25, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC DIVISION OF LANDS & FORESTS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Elk Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 23 ft

Flowed Land Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 20 ft

Beaver Flow Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 16 ft

Henderson Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 19 ft

Lower Ausable Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Palmer Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 35 ft

Duck Hole Dam

Franklin, NY

Low Hazard 14 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Boreas Ponds Dam?

Boreas Ponds 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 Boreas Ponds Dam?

Boreas Ponds Dam is owned by NYS DEC DIVISION OF LANDS & FORESTS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Boreas Ponds Dam?

Boreas Ponds 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 Boreas Ponds Dam?

Boreas Ponds Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Boreas Ponds Dam last inspected?

Boreas Ponds Dam was last inspected on October 25, 2016. 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.