Lake Superior Dam

TR-BLACK LAKE· Sullivan, New York· Built 1920· Concrete· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Superior Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.9% in NY)
Dam Length210 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage700 acre-ft
Surface Area185 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge4,871 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDNY01286

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: May 7, 2007
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYSOPRHP - PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK COMMISSION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Superior Dam?

Lake Superior 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 Lake Superior Dam?

Lake Superior Dam is owned by NYSOPRHP - PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK COMMISSION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Superior Dam built?

Lake Superior Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Superior Dam?

Lake Superior 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 Superior Dam?

Lake Superior Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Superior Dam last inspected?

Lake Superior Dam was last inspected on May 7, 2007. 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.