Stillwater - North Dam

Beaver River· Herkimer, New York· Built 1924· Earth· 55 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Flood Risk Reduction State Government

Key Takeaway

Stillwater - North Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 55 ft (taller than 93.4% in NY)
Dam Length935 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage108.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage108.0K acre-ft
Surface Area6,490 acres
Drainage Area171 sq mi
Max Discharge45,000 cfs
Year Completed1924 (102 years old)
NID IDNY00316

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: August 11, 2022
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 Stillwater - North Dam?

Stillwater - North 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 Stillwater - North Dam?

Stillwater - North 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 Stillwater - North Dam built?

Stillwater - North Dam was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Stillwater - North Dam?

Stillwater - North Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Stillwater - North Dam?

Stillwater - North Dam has a dam height of 55 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 Stillwater - North Dam last inspected?

Stillwater - North Dam was last inspected on August 11, 2022. 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.