Yankee Lake Dam

PINE KILL· Sullivan, New York· Built 1844· Earth· 22 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Yankee Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1844 and is 182 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	22 ft (taller than 63.7% in NY)
Dam Length	1,600 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	7.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.7K acre-ft

Surface Area	415 acres
Drainage Area	4 sq mi
Max Discharge	400 cfs
Year Completed	1844 (182 years old)
NID ID	NY00332

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: December 2, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

YANKEE LAKE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Yankee Lake Dam?

Yankee 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 Yankee Lake Dam?

Yankee Lake Dam is owned by YANKEE LAKE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Yankee Lake Dam built?

Yankee Lake Dam was completed in 1844, making it 182 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 Yankee Lake Dam?

Yankee 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 Yankee Lake Dam?

Yankee Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Yankee Lake Dam last inspected?

Yankee Lake Dam was last inspected on December 2, 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.