Kinderhook Lake Dam

VALATIE KILL· Columbia, New York· Built 1886· Concrete· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Kinderhook Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1886 and is 140 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 49.5% in NY)
Dam Length230 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage5.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.1K acre-ft
Surface Area350 acres
Drainage Area18 sq mi
Max Discharge550 cfs
Year Completed1886 (140 years old)
NID IDNY00887

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: No
Last Inspection: April 7, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

KINDERHOOK LAKE CORPORATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kinderhook Lake Dam?

Kinderhook 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 Kinderhook Lake Dam?

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

When was Kinderhook Lake Dam built?

Kinderhook Lake Dam was completed in 1886, making it 140 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 Kinderhook Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Kinderhook Lake Dam?

Kinderhook 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 Kinderhook Lake Dam last inspected?

Kinderhook Lake Dam was last inspected on April 7, 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.