Minerva Lake Dam

JONES BROOK· Essex, New York· Built 1931· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Minerva Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 56.3% in NY)
Dam Length330 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage460 acre-ft
Normal Storage344 acre-ft
Surface Area83 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,190 cfs
Year Completed1931 (95 years old)
NID IDNY00916

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: October 3, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

TOWN OF MINERVA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Sharron Pond Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 8 ft

Kelso Brook Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 10 ft

Olmstedville Pond Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Balfour Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 7 ft

Gore Mt Reservoir Dam

Warren, NY

Significant Hazard 32 ft

Horseshoe Pond Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Loon Lake Dam

Warren, NY

High Hazard 15 ft

Starbuckville Dam

Warren, NY

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Minerva Lake Dam?

Minerva 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 Minerva Lake Dam?

Minerva Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF MINERVA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Minerva Lake Dam built?

Minerva Lake Dam was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Minerva Lake Dam?

Minerva 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 Minerva Lake Dam?

Minerva Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Minerva Lake Dam last inspected?

Minerva Lake Dam was last inspected on October 3, 2014. 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.