Sixth Lake Dam

MIDDLE BRANCH MOOSE RIVER· Hamilton, New York· Built 1920· Earth· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sixth Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 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 16 ft (taller than 42.9% in NY)
Dam Length335 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage10.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.7K acre-ft
Surface Area732 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge1,440 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDNY00318

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 2, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

HUDSON RIVER-BLACK RIVER REGULATING DISTRICT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sixth Lake Dam?

Sixth Lake 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 Sixth Lake Dam?

Sixth Lake Dam is owned by HUDSON RIVER-BLACK RIVER REGULATING DISTRICT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sixth Lake Dam built?

Sixth Lake Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Sixth Lake Dam?

Sixth Lake 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 Sixth Lake Dam?

Sixth Lake 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 Sixth Lake Dam last inspected?

Sixth Lake Dam was last inspected on November 2, 2018. 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.