Lake Snow Dam

BEAVER MEADOW BROOK· Hamilton, New York· Built 1955· Concrete· 15 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Snow Dam is classified as significant hazard in New York. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 37.1% in NY)
Dam Length240 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage955 acre-ft
Normal Storage506 acre-ft
Surface Area100 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDNY00154

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 29, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

LAKE SNOW ASSOC. INC.;LAKE SNOW ASSOCIATION;LAKE SNOW FOREST ASSOC./ LAKE SNOW ASSOC.

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Snow Dam?

Lake Snow Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Snow Dam?

Lake Snow Dam is owned by LAKE SNOW ASSOC. INC.;LAKE SNOW ASSOCIATION;LAKE SNOW FOREST ASSOC./ LAKE SNOW ASSOC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Snow Dam built?

Lake Snow Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Lake Snow Dam?

Lake Snow 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 Lake Snow Dam?

Lake Snow Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Lake Snow Dam last inspected?

Lake Snow Dam was last inspected on June 29, 2017. 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.