Wadhams

Bouquet River· Essex, New York· Built 1984· Concrete· 7 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wadhams is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.9% in NY)
Dam Length140 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage75 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area134 sq mi
Max Discharge9,300 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDNY14009

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 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

Matthew W. Foley & Elizabeth E. Rapalee

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wadhams?

Wadhams 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 Wadhams?

Wadhams is owned by Matthew W. Foley & Elizabeth E. Rapalee (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wadhams built?

Wadhams was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Wadhams?

Wadhams serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wadhams?

Wadhams has a dam height of 7 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 Wadhams last inspected?

Wadhams was last inspected on May 18, 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.