Churchill Dam

TR-W BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER· Delaware, New York· Built 1965· Rockfill· 21 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Churchill Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	21 ft (taller than 61.3% in NY)
Dam Length	340 ft
Dam Type	Rockfill
Max Storage	31 acre-ft
Normal Storage	20 acre-ft

Surface Area	3 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
Max Discharge	350 cfs
Year Completed	1965 (61 years old)
NID ID	NY12726

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: January 2, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

VILLAGE OF STAMFORD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Rexmere Dam

Delaware, NY

High Hazard 27 ft

Blazer Pond Dam

Schoharie, NY

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Murphy Foundation Dam

Schoharie, NY

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Stamford Reservoir Dam

Schoharie, NY

Significant Hazard 28 ft

Whiting Hollow Dam

Schoharie, NY

Significant Hazard 24 ft

Mayham Pond Dam

Schoharie, NY

Low Hazard 11 ft

Lake In The Sky Dam

Schoharie, NY

Low Hazard 17 ft

Howard Lafever Dam

Delaware, NY

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Churchill Dam?

Churchill Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Churchill Dam?

Churchill Dam is owned by VILLAGE OF STAMFORD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Churchill Dam built?

Churchill Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Churchill Dam?

Churchill 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 Churchill Dam?

Churchill Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Churchill Dam last inspected?

Churchill Dam was last inspected on January 2, 2020. 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.