Glenmere Lake Dam

BROWNS CREEK· Orange, New York· Built 1880· Earth· 24 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Glenmere Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 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 Length	600 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	3.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.8K acre-ft

Surface Area	328 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
Max Discharge	78 cfs
Year Completed	1880 (146 years old)
NID ID	NY00224

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: May 3, 2019

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS;TOWN OF CHESTER;VILLAGE OF FLORIDA

Local Government

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Middle Warwick Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Glenmere Lake Dam?

Glenmere 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 Glenmere Lake Dam?

Glenmere Lake Dam is owned by ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS;TOWN OF CHESTER;VILLAGE OF FLORIDA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Glenmere Lake Dam built?

Glenmere Lake Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Glenmere Lake Dam?

Glenmere Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Glenmere Lake Dam?

Glenmere 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 Glenmere Lake Dam last inspected?

Glenmere Lake Dam was last inspected on May 3, 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.