Norfolk Dam
Norfolk Dam is a concrete dam located in St. Lawrence County, New York, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Norfolk Dam
The primary purpose of Norfolk Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Erie Boulevard Hydropower, Lp/brookfield Renewable (private). It impounds the Raquette River near Norfolk.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 108 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,066 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/29/1997. That was 28 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
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 | St. Lawrence |
| Nearest City | Norfolk |
| River/Stream | Raquette River |
| Coordinates | 44.80222, -74.99056 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 108 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 108 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,066 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 22,030 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Erie Boulevard Hydropower, LP/Brookfield Renewable |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 07/29/1997 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00582 |
| Federal ID | NY00582 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |