Pump House Dam

BLACK RIVER· Jefferson, New York· Built 1895· Concrete· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pump House Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1895 and is 131 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 42.9% in NY)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage56 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area1,874 sq mi
Max Discharge40,000 cfs
Year Completed1895 (131 years old)
NID IDNY11859

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 14, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF WATERTOWN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pump House Dam?

Pump House 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 Pump House Dam?

Pump House Dam is owned by CITY OF WATERTOWN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pump House Dam built?

Pump House Dam was completed in 1895, making it 131 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 Pump House Dam?

Pump House 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 Pump House Dam?

Pump House Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Pump House Dam last inspected?

Pump House Dam was last inspected on July 14, 2008. 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.