Potsdam - East Dam

Raquette River· St. Lawrence, New York· Built 1903· Masonry· 7 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Potsdam - East Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.9% in NY)
Dam Length165 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage750 acre-ft
Normal Storage750 acre-ft
Surface Area300 acres
Drainage Area1,031 sq mi
Max Discharge11,800 cfs
Year Completed1903 (123 years old)
NID IDNY01562

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: July 17, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

Village of Potsdam, NY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Potsdam - East Dam?

Potsdam - East 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 Potsdam - East Dam?

Potsdam - East Dam is owned by Village of Potsdam, NY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Potsdam - East Dam built?

Potsdam - East 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 Potsdam - East Dam?

Potsdam - East Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Debris Control, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Potsdam - East Dam?

Potsdam - East Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Potsdam - East Dam last inspected?

Potsdam - East Dam was last inspected on July 17, 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.