Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam

EATON BROOK· Madison, New York· Built 1893· Earth· 58 ft tall
High Hazard Navigation Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1893 and is 133 years old. Its primary use is navigation. 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 58 ft (taller than 94.2% in NY)
Dam Length820 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage7.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.7K acre-ft
Surface Area275 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge3,060 cfs
Year Completed1893 (133 years old)
NID IDNY00352

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 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

New York State Canal Corporation

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam?

Eaton Brook 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 Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam?

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam built?

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam was completed in 1893, making it 133 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 Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam?

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Navigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam?

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Eaton Brook Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 28, 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.