Kingdom Dam

BLACK RIVER· Essex, New York· Built 1911· Concrete· 24 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Kingdom Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 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 Length255 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage4.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.9K acre-ft
Surface Area475 acres
Max Discharge725 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDNY00218

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: August 22, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC DIVISION OF LANDS & FORESTS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kingdom Dam?

Kingdom 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 Kingdom Dam?

Kingdom Dam is owned by NYS DEC DIVISION OF LANDS & FORESTS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kingdom Dam built?

Kingdom Dam was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Kingdom Dam?

Kingdom 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 Kingdom Dam?

Kingdom 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 Kingdom Dam last inspected?

Kingdom Dam was last inspected on August 22, 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.