Burden Pond Dam

WYNANTSKILL· Rensselaer, New York· Built 1942· Masonry· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Burden Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 46.3% in NY)
Dam Length160 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage153 acre-ft
Normal Storage58 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area34 sq mi
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDNY01359

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: March 24, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF TROY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Rail Joint Mill Dam

Rensselaer, NY

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Ida Lake Dam

Rensselaer, NY

Low Hazard 12 ft

Lake Ridge Dam

Albany, NY

Significant Hazard 60 ft

Watervliet Lower Dam

Albany, NY

High Hazard 27 ft

Bardack Dam

Albany, NY

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Troy Lock and Dam 1

Albany, NY

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Wright Lake Dam

Rensselaer, NY

High Hazard 46 ft

Bradley Lake Dam

Rensselaer, NY

High Hazard 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burden Pond Dam?

Burden 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 Burden Pond Dam?

Burden Pond Dam is owned by CITY OF TROY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Burden Pond Dam built?

Burden Pond Dam was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Burden Pond Dam?

Burden 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 Burden Pond Dam?

Burden Pond 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 Burden Pond Dam last inspected?

Burden Pond Dam was last inspected on March 24, 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.