Wright Lake Dam

PISCAWAN KILL· Rensselaer, New York· Built 1861· Earth· 46 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wright Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1861 and is 165 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	46 ft (taller than 90.9% in NY)
Dam Length	350 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	129 acre-ft
Normal Storage	107 acre-ft

Surface Area	7 acres
Drainage Area	3 sq mi
Year Completed	1861 (165 years old)
NID ID	NY00757

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: January 5, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF TROY

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wright Lake Dam?

Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam?

Wright Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF TROY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wright Lake Dam built?

Wright Lake Dam was completed in 1861, making it 165 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 Wright Lake Dam?

Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam?

Wright Lake Dam has a dam height of 46 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 Wright Lake Dam last inspected?

Wright Lake Dam was last inspected on January 5, 2021. 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.