Woodhull Lake Dam
Woodhull Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Herkimer County, New York, built in 1853. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Woodhull Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Woodhull Lake Dam is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (state). It impounds the Tr-sand Lake near Woodhull.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 507 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,158 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 11,600 acre-feet. Completed in 1853, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 09/28/2023.
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 | Herkimer |
| Nearest City | Woodhull |
| River/Stream | Tr-sand Lake |
| Coordinates | 43.58167, -74.99000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 507 ft |
| Year Completed | 1853 (173 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 8,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,158 acres |
| Max Discharge | 120 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | New York State Canal Corporation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/28/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00309 |
| Federal ID | NY00309 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |