Lows Lake Dam

BOG RIVER· St. Lawrence, New York· Built 1903· Concrete· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Lows Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 61.3% in NY)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage21.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage14.8K acre-ft
Surface Area2,759 acres
Drainage Area37 sq mi
Max Discharge460 cfs
Year Completed1903 (123 years old)
NID IDNY00253

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: August 23, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lows Lake Dam?

Lows Lake 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 Lows Lake Dam?

Lows Lake Dam is owned by NYS DEC (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lows Lake Dam built?

Lows Lake Dam was completed in 1903, making it 123 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 Lows Lake Dam?

Lows Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lows Lake Dam?

Lows Lake Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Lows Lake Dam last inspected?

Lows Lake Dam was last inspected on August 23, 2018. 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.