Claytons Dam

EATON BROOK· Madison, New York· Built 1917· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Claytons Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 61.3% in NY)
Dam Length315 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage179 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge1,306 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDNY01460

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: July 19, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

ALDER BROOK COTTAGE LLC

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Claytons Dam?

Claytons 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 Claytons Dam?

Claytons Dam is owned by ALDER BROOK COTTAGE LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Claytons Dam built?

Claytons Dam was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Claytons Dam?

Claytons 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 Claytons Dam?

Claytons 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 Claytons Dam last inspected?

Claytons Dam was last inspected on July 19, 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.