South Side Dam

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER· Otsego, New York· Built 1907· Concrete· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Other State Government

Key Takeaway

South Side Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 12.4% in NY)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area660 sq mi
Max Discharge8,000 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDNY01615

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 11, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DOT REGION 9

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Side Dam?

South Side 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 South Side Dam?

South Side Dam is owned by NYS DOT REGION 9 (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Side Dam built?

South Side Dam was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 South Side Dam?

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

How tall is South Side Dam?

South Side Dam has a dam height of 10 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 South Side Dam last inspected?

South Side Dam was last inspected on May 11, 2010. 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.