Binnewater Reservoir Dam & Dike
Binnewater Reservoir Dam & Dike is an earth dam located in Ulster County, New York, built in 1926. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Binnewater Reservoir Dam & Dike
The primary purpose of Binnewater Reservoir Dam & Dike is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Kingston (local government). It impounds the Tr-esopus Creek near Kingston.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 675 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Completed in 1926, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 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 07/12/2023.
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 | Ulster |
| Nearest City | Kingston |
| River/Stream | Tr-esopus Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.96783, -74.01836 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 675 ft |
| Year Completed | 1926 (100 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CITY OF KINGSTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY01130 |
| Federal ID | NY01130 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |