Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam

KINGSLEY BROOK· Madison, New York· Built 1836· Earth· 63 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1836 and is 190 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 63 ft (taller than 95.1% in NY)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.6K acre-ft
Surface Area95 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge671 cfs
Year Completed1836 (190 years old)
NID IDNY00353

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: October 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

New York State Canal Corporation

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir 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 Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam built?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam was completed in 1836, making it 190 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 Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir 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 Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 63 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 Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Kingsley Brook Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 28, 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.