City of Oswego Dam

OSWEGO RIVER· Oswego, New York· Built 1956· Concrete· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

City of Oswego Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 61.3% in NY)
Dam Length104 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDNY00891

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: June 21, 2000
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF OSWEGO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of City of Oswego Dam?

City of Oswego 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 City of Oswego Dam?

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

When was City of Oswego Dam built?

City of Oswego Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 City of Oswego Dam?

City of Oswego Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is City of Oswego Dam?

City of Oswego 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 City of Oswego Dam last inspected?

City of Oswego Dam was last inspected on June 21, 2000. 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.