Map of All 1,941 New York Dams
New York has 1,941 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 452 are classified as high hazard (23% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 103 New York dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive New York dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare New York to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
New York Dams by the Numbers
- 1,941 total dams in New York
- 452 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 564 significant hazard
- 919 low hazard
- 355 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (345 poor, 10 unsatisfactory)
- 103 New York dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in New York
The tallest dam in New York is Mount Morris Dam at 249 feet, completed in 1952. The 10 tallest New York dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Morris Dam | 249 ft | 1952 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Livingston |
| Ashokan Dam | 213 ft | 1916 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Ulster |
| Downsville Dam | 204 ft | 1954 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Delaware |
| Merriman Dam | 195 ft | 1945 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Ulster |
| Neversink Reservoir Dam | 190 ft | 1953 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Sullivan |
| Gilboa Dam | 183 ft | 1926 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Schoharie |
| Cannonsville Dam | 175 ft | 1964 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Delaware |
| New Croton Reservoir Dam | 174 ft | 1906 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Westchester |
| Blenheim – Gilboa Upper | 170 ft | 1974 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Schoharie |
| Kensico Dam | 168 ft | 1916 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Westchester |
High-Hazard New York Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 103 dams in New York. Notable examples:
- Inghams Dam (125 ft, Fulton County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Toronto (103 ft, Sullivan County) — Hydroelectric, Unsatisfactory condition
- Mill Brook Site 2 Dam (87 ft, Chenango County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Ilion Reservoir #3 Dam (76 ft, Herkimer County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- 60 Foot Dam (75 ft, Tompkins County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in New York
Dam safety in New York is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in New York?
New York has 1,941 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 452 high hazard, 564 significant hazard, and 919 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in New York?
The tallest dam in New York is Mount Morris Dam at 249 feet, completed in 1952. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many New York dams are in poor condition?
355 New York dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 103 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
