Carthage State Dam

BLACK RIVER· Jefferson, New York· Built 1854· Concrete· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Navigation Private

Key Takeaway

Carthage State Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1854 and is 172 years old. Its primary use is navigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.1% in NY)
Dam Length829 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.4K acre-ft
Surface Area690 acres
Drainage Area1,800 sq mi
Max Discharge4,900 cfs
Year Completed1854 (172 years old)
NID IDNY00764

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: August 1, 1996
State Regulated: No

Ownership

JEFFERSON COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Carthage State Dam?

Carthage State 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 Carthage State Dam?

Carthage State Dam is owned by JEFFERSON COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Carthage State Dam built?

Carthage State Dam was completed in 1854, making it 172 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 Carthage State Dam?

Carthage State Dam serves the following purposes: Navigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Carthage State Dam?

Carthage State Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Carthage State Dam last inspected?

Carthage State Dam was last inspected on August 1, 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.