Pocantico Lake Dam

POCANTICO RIVER· Westchester, New York· Built 1916· Earth· 35 ft tall

High Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pocantico Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1916 and is 110 years old. Its primary use is other. 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	35 ft (taller than 83.6% in NY)
Dam Length	300 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	920 acre-ft

Surface Area	67 acres
Drainage Area	11 sq mi
Max Discharge	4,000 cfs
Year Completed	1916 (110 years old)
NID ID	NY00049

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: April 25, 2019

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pocantico Lake Dam?

Pocantico 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 Pocantico Lake Dam?

Pocantico Lake Dam is owned by WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pocantico Lake Dam built?

Pocantico Lake Dam was completed in 1916, making it 110 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 Pocantico Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Pocantico Lake Dam?

Pocantico Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Pocantico Lake Dam last inspected?

Pocantico Lake Dam was last inspected on April 25, 2019. 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.