Earle Peterson Dam

WEST BRANCH OTEGO CREEK· Otsego, New York· Built 1972· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Earle Peterson Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 37.1% in NY)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage78 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge167 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDNY01459

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: April 1, 1998
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

EARLE PETERSON

Not Listed

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Hartwick Reservoir Dam

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Crystal Lake Dam

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Bed Bug Hill Dam

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Gilbert Lake Dam

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Goey Pond Dam

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Moe Pond Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Earle Peterson Dam?

Earle Peterson 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 Earle Peterson Dam?

Earle Peterson Dam is owned by EARLE PETERSON (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Earle Peterson Dam built?

Earle Peterson Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Earle Peterson Dam?

Earle Peterson 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 Earle Peterson Dam?

Earle Peterson Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Earle Peterson Dam last inspected?

Earle Peterson Dam was last inspected on April 1, 1998. 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.