Mount Beacon Reservoir Dam

Mount Beacon Reservoir Dam is a buttress dam located in Dutchess County, New York, built in 1922. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Mount Beacon Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Mount Beacon Reservoir 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 City Of Beacon (local government). It impounds the Dry Brook near Beacon.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 606 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1922, 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 11/07/2024.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNew York
CountyDutchess
Nearest CityBeacon
River/StreamDry Brook
Coordinates41.48861, -73.94056

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeButtress
NID Height35 ft
Dam Height35 ft
Dam Length350 ft
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage606 acre-ft
Max Storage606 acre-ft
Normal Storage575 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge210 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerCITY OF BEACON
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection11/07/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNY00026
Federal IDNY00026
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams