Merrill & Rutherford Dam

TR-BEECHER BROOK· Ulster, New York· Built 1969· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Merrill & Rutherford Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 19.5% in NY)
Dam Length590 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage53 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge720 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDNY00526

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 10, 1973
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Merrill & Rutherford Dam?

Merrill & Rutherford 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 Merrill & Rutherford Dam?

Merrill & Rutherford Dam is owned by ZEN STUDIES SOCIETY INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Merrill & Rutherford Dam built?

Merrill & Rutherford 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 Merrill & Rutherford Dam?

Merrill & Rutherford 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 Merrill & Rutherford Dam?

Merrill & Rutherford Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Merrill & Rutherford Dam last inspected?

Merrill & Rutherford Dam was last inspected on May 10, 1973. 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.