Swan Lake Dam

POCANTICO RIVER· Westchester, New York· Built 1933· Earth· 34 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Swan Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1933 and is 93 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	34 ft (taller than 83% in NY)
Dam Length	325 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	289 acre-ft
Normal Storage	180 acre-ft

Surface Area	18 acres
Drainage Area	0 sq mi
Max Discharge	1,570 cfs
Year Completed	1933 (93 years old)
NID ID	NY00665

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 10, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS PARKS & RECREATION TACONIC

State Government

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Town of Mt. Pleasant Water District #1 Dam

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Tarrytown Waterworks Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swan Lake Dam?

Swan 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake Dam is owned by NYS PARKS & RECREATION TACONIC (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Swan Lake Dam built?

Swan Lake Dam was completed in 1933, making it 93 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Swan Lake Dam last inspected?

Swan Lake Dam was last inspected on November 10, 2020. 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.