Ridgewood Reservoir Dam

TR-SPRING CREEK· Queens, New York· Built 1891· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ridgewood Reservoir Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1891 and is 135 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 78.3% in NY)
Dam Length8,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage926 acre-ft
Normal Storage674 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1891 (135 years old)
NID IDNY00160

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: Yes
Last Inspection: October 22, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYC DEPT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ridgewood Reservoir Dam?

Ridgewood Reservoir 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 Ridgewood Reservoir Dam?

Ridgewood Reservoir Dam is owned by NYC DEPT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ridgewood Reservoir Dam built?

Ridgewood Reservoir Dam was completed in 1891, making it 135 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 Ridgewood Reservoir Dam?

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

How tall is Ridgewood Reservoir Dam?

Ridgewood Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Ridgewood Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Ridgewood Reservoir Dam was last inspected on October 22, 2015. 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.