Glass Lake Dam

WYNANTSKILL· Rensselaer, New York· Built 1916· Masonry· 18 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Glass Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in New York. It was completed in 1916 and is 110 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 49.5% in NY)
Dam Length50 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage3.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.6K acre-ft
Surface Area108 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1916 (110 years old)
NID IDNY00077

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: December 13, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

GLASS LAKE PRESERVATION CORPORATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Glass Lake Dam?

Glass Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Glass Lake Dam?

Glass Lake Dam is owned by GLASS LAKE PRESERVATION CORPORATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Glass Lake Dam built?

Glass Lake Dam was completed in 1916, making it 110 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 Glass Lake Dam?

Glass 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 Glass Lake Dam?

Glass Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Glass Lake Dam last inspected?

Glass Lake Dam was last inspected on December 13, 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.