Sodom Dam
Sodom Dam is an earth dam located in Putnam County, New York, built in 1892. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sodom Dam
The primary purpose of Sodom Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Nycdep Dams East Of The Hudson River (local government). It impounds the East Branch Croton River near Brewster.
The dam stands 78 feet tall and stretches 1,600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 491 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 19,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 80 square miles. Completed in 1892, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/07/2024.
At 78 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New York dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New York |
| County | Putnam |
| Nearest City | Brewster |
| River/Stream | East Branch Croton River |
| Coordinates | 41.39722, -73.59194 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1892 (134 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 19,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 19,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 16,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 491 acres |
| Drainage Area | 80 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 38,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | NYCDEP DAMS EAST OF THE HUDSON RIVER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/07/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00031 |
| Federal ID | NY00031 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |