Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam

WHETSTONE CREEK· Lewis, New York· Built 1961· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 23 ft (taller than 66% in NY)
Dam Length301 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage899 acre-ft
Surface Area318 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge334 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDNY00544

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: October 15, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYSOPRHP THOUSAND ISLANDS REGION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam?

Whetstone Gulf Storage 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 Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam?

Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam is owned by NYSOPRHP THOUSAND ISLANDS REGION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam built?

Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam?

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

How tall is Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam?

Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam last inspected?

Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam was last inspected on October 15, 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.