Melcher Dam

TR-TAGHKANIC CREEK· Columbia, New York· Built 1930· Concrete· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Melcher Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 63.7% in NY)
Dam Length425 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage72 acre-ft
Normal Storage37 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge300 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDNY01309

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: November 23, 2004
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

WESLEY L COON

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Copake Lake Dam

Columbia, NY

Low Hazard 6 ft

Berkshire Turkey Farm Pond Dam

Columbia, NY

Significant Hazard 22 ft

Huehnel Pond Dam

Columbia, NY

Low Hazard 21 ft

Robinson Pond Dam

Columbia, NY

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Charles D Gibson Dam

Columbia, NY

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Philmont Reservoir Dam

Columbia, NY

Significant Hazard 35 ft

Summit Street Lake Dam

Columbia, NY

High Hazard 28 ft

Burton Herrington Pond Dam

Columbia, NY

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Melcher Dam?

Melcher 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 Melcher Dam?

Melcher Dam is owned by WESLEY L COON (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Melcher Dam built?

Melcher Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Melcher Dam?

Melcher 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 Melcher Dam?

Melcher Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Melcher Dam last inspected?

Melcher Dam was last inspected on November 23, 2004. 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.