Churchtown Dam

TR-TAGHKANIC CREEK· Columbia, New York· Built 1904· Concrete· 37 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Churchtown Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 37 ft (taller than 86.3% in NY)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage265 acre-ft
Normal Storage240 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge758 cfs
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
NID IDNY00079

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: April 7, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF HUDSON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Churchtown Dam?

Churchtown 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 Churchtown Dam?

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

When was Churchtown Dam built?

Churchtown Dam was completed in 1904, making it 122 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 Churchtown Dam?

Churchtown 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 Churchtown Dam?

Churchtown Dam has a dam height of 37 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 Churchtown Dam last inspected?

Churchtown Dam was last inspected on April 7, 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.