Amawalk Dam
Amawalk Dam is an earth dam located in Westchester County, New York, built in 1897. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Amawalk Dam
The primary purpose of Amawalk 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 East Of The Hudson River (local government). It impounds the Muscoot River near Yorktown Heights.
The dam stands 85 feet tall and stretches 1,270 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 606 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 23,170 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1897, 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 05/23/2024.
At 85 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Westchester |
| Nearest City | Yorktown Heights |
| River/Stream | Muscoot River |
| Coordinates | 41.28889, -73.75444 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 85 ft |
| Dam Height | 85 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,270 ft |
| Year Completed | 1897 (129 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 23,170 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 23,170 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 20,543 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 606 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,170 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | NYCDEP DAMS EAST OF THE HUDSON RIVER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/23/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00045 |
| Federal ID | NY00045 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |