Ida Lake Dam

POESTENKILL· Rensselaer, New York· Built 1912· Other· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ida Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 23.2% in NY)
Dam Length180 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage95 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area94 sq mi
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDNY13740

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: Yes
Last Inspection: September 28, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF TROY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Burden Pond Dam

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Low Hazard 17 ft

Rail Joint Mill Dam

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Significant Hazard 25 ft

Bradley Lake Dam

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High Hazard 50 ft

Wright Lake Dam

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High Hazard 46 ft

Troy Lock and Dam 1

Albany, NY

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Watervliet Lower Dam

Albany, NY

High Hazard 27 ft

Watervliet Upper Dam

Albany, NY

High Hazard 72 ft

Lake Ridge Dam

Albany, NY

Significant Hazard 60 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ida Lake Dam?

Ida Lake 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 Ida Lake Dam?

Ida Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF TROY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ida Lake Dam built?

Ida Lake Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Ida Lake Dam?

Ida 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 Ida Lake Dam?

Ida Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Ida Lake Dam last inspected?

Ida Lake Dam was last inspected on September 28, 2018. 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.