Putnam Pond Dam

PUTNAM CREEK· Essex, New York· Built 1965· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Putnam Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 61.3% in NY)
Dam Length183 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage788 acre-ft
Surface Area276 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge1,080 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDNY00555

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 24, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC

State Government

Nearby Dams

Gooseneck Reservoir Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 10 ft

Penfield Pond Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Sawmill Pond Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 12 ft

Curtis S Read Scout Reservation Dam

Warren, NY

Significant Hazard 27 ft

Lake George Outlet - Canal Intake

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High Hazard 28 ft

D Mill At Ticonderoga Dam

Essex, NY

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Palmer Lake Dam

Essex, NY

Low Hazard 35 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Putnam Pond Dam?

Putnam Pond 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 Putnam Pond Dam?

Putnam Pond Dam is owned by NYS DEC (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Putnam Pond Dam built?

Putnam Pond Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Putnam Pond Dam?

Putnam Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Putnam Pond Dam?

Putnam Pond Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Putnam Pond Dam last inspected?

Putnam Pond Dam was last inspected on May 24, 2011. 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.