Silver Lake Reservoir Dam

TR-KILL VAN KULL· Richmond, New York· Built 1917· Earth· 65 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 65 ft (taller than 95.6% in NY)
Dam Length4,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area57 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge77 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDNY00060

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 14, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYC DEP, BUREAU OF WATER & SEWER OPERATIONS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Silver Lake Reservoir Dam?

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Silver Lake Reservoir Dam?

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam is owned by NYC DEP, BUREAU OF WATER & SEWER OPERATIONS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Silver Lake Reservoir Dam built?

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Silver Lake Reservoir Dam?

Silver Lake Reservoir 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 Silver Lake Reservoir Dam?

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 65 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 Silver Lake Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Silver Lake Reservoir Dam was last inspected on November 14, 2019. 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.