Furnace Brook Lake Dam

FURNACE BROOK· Westchester, New York· Built 1913· Earth· 24 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Furnace Brook Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 24 ft (taller than 68.1% in NY)
Dam Length430 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage285 acre-ft
Normal Storage180 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,680 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDNY01158

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: November 15, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Furnace Brook Lake Dam?

Furnace Brook Lake 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 Furnace Brook Lake Dam?

Furnace Brook Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF CORTLANDT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Furnace Brook Lake Dam built?

Furnace Brook Lake Dam was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Furnace Brook Lake Dam?

Furnace Brook Lake 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 Furnace Brook Lake Dam?

Furnace Brook Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Furnace Brook Lake Dam last inspected?

Furnace Brook Lake Dam was last inspected on November 15, 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.