Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam

TR-MOODNA CREEK· Orange, New York· Built 1912· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 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 33 ft (taller than 82.3% in NY)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage222 acre-ft
Normal Storage193 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDNY00604

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: October 23, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

VILLAGE OF CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir 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 Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam is owned by VILLAGE OF CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam built?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir 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 Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 33 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 Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Cornwall Upper Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 23, 2019. 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.