Old Forge Reservoir Dam
Old Forge Reservoir Dam is a concrete dam located in Herkimer County, New York, built in 1905. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Old Forge Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Old Forge Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Hudson River-black River Regulating District (state). It impounds the Middle Branch Moose River near Old Forge.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 129 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 736 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22,610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 55 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/10/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Herkimer |
| Nearest City | Old Forge |
| River/Stream | Middle Branch Moose River |
| Coordinates | 43.71278, -74.96944 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 129 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 22,610 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 22,610 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9,002 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 736 acres |
| Drainage Area | 55 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 980 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | HUDSON RIVER-BLACK RIVER REGULATING DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/10/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00315 |
| Federal ID | NY00315 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |