Ashokan Dam
Ashokan Dam is an earth dam located in Ulster County, New York, built in 1916. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ashokan Dam
The primary purpose of Ashokan 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 Nycdep Dams West Of The Hudson River (local government). It impounds the Esopus Creek near Olive Bridge.
The dam stands 213 feet tall and stretches 4,650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7,923 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 512,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 256 square miles. Completed in 1916, 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 10/21/2022.
At 213 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Olive Bridge |
| River/Stream | Esopus Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.93806, -74.21917 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 213 ft |
| Dam Height | 213 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1916 (110 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 512,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 512,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 392,498 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7,923 acres |
| Drainage Area | 256 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 209,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | NYCDEP DAMS WEST OF THE HUDSON RIVER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00041 |
| Federal ID | NY00041 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |