Larchwood Lake Dam

TR-WHARTON CREEK· Otsego, New York· Built 1969· Earth· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Larchwood Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 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 36 ft (taller than 85.3% in NY)
Dam Length260 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage298 acre-ft
Surface Area57 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDNY00727

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: November 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

LARCHWOOD LAKE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Larchwood Lake Dam?

Larchwood Lake 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 Larchwood Lake Dam?

Larchwood Lake Dam is owned by LARCHWOOD LAKE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Larchwood Lake Dam built?

Larchwood Lake Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Larchwood Lake Dam?

Larchwood Lake 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 Larchwood Lake Dam?

Larchwood Lake Dam has a dam height of 36 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 Larchwood Lake Dam last inspected?

Larchwood Lake Dam was last inspected on November 17, 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.