Little Dam Lake Dam

TR-RAMAPO RIVER· Orange, New York· Built 1897· Earth· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Little Dam Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1897 and is 129 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 12 ft (taller than 23.2% in NY)
Dam Length465 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage191 acre-ft
Normal Storage123 acre-ft
Surface Area37 acres
Year Completed1897 (129 years old)
NID IDNY01453

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: December 10, 2020
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 Little Dam Lake Dam?

Little Dam 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 Little Dam Lake Dam?

Little Dam Lake 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 Little Dam Lake Dam built?

Little Dam Lake Dam was completed in 1897, making it 129 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 Little Dam Lake Dam?

Little Dam 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 Little Dam Lake Dam?

Little Dam Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Little Dam Lake Dam last inspected?

Little Dam Lake Dam was last inspected on December 10, 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.