Russ Mills Dam

CATFISH CREEK· Oswego, New York· Built 1912· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Russ Mills Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 9% in NY)
Dam Length112 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage920 acre-ft
Normal Storage310 acre-ft
Surface Area63 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDNY01556

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 19, 1995
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

TIMOTHY R.-S. MOYNIHAN

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Caughdenoy Dam

Oswego, NY

Low Hazard 15 ft

Mallory Dam

Oswego, NY

Significant Hazard 6 ft

Phoenix Lock & Dam No. 1

Oswego, NY

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Sharps Pond Dam

Oswego, NY

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2

Oswego, NY

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Granby

Oswego, NY

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Russ Mills Dam?

Russ Mills 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 Russ Mills Dam?

Russ Mills Dam is owned by TIMOTHY R.-S. MOYNIHAN (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Russ Mills Dam built?

Russ Mills Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Russ Mills Dam?

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

How tall is Russ Mills Dam?

Russ Mills Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Russ Mills Dam last inspected?

Russ Mills Dam was last inspected on July 19, 1995. 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.