Tivoli Lake Dam

TR-HUDSON RIVER· Albany, New York· Built 1851· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Tivoli Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1851 and is 175 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 9% in NY)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage52 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2,700 cfs
Year Completed1851 (175 years old)
NID IDNY13383

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: Yes
Last Inspection: October 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

ALBANY WATER BOARD

Local Government

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West Albany Storm Retention Basin A Dam

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West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam

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Littles Lake Dam

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Quackenderry Creek Dam

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Schuyler Meadows Club Dam

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Clinton Heights Storage Dam

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Watervliet Balancing Reservoir Dam

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Significant Hazard 20 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tivoli Lake Dam?

Tivoli Lake 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 Tivoli Lake Dam?

Tivoli Lake Dam is owned by ALBANY WATER BOARD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Tivoli Lake Dam built?

Tivoli Lake Dam was completed in 1851, making it 175 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 Tivoli Lake Dam?

Tivoli 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 Tivoli Lake Dam?

Tivoli Lake Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Tivoli Lake Dam last inspected?

Tivoli Lake Dam was last inspected on October 1, 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.