Cooper Lake Dam And West Dike
Cooper Lake Dam And West Dike is an earth dam located in Ulster County, New York, built in 1800. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cooper Lake Dam And West Dike
The primary purpose of Cooper Lake Dam And West Dike 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 Kingston (local government). It impounds the Saw Kill near Shady.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 241 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,683 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1800, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 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 06/24/2024.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% 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.
Location
| State | New York |
| County | Ulster |
| Nearest City | Shady |
| River/Stream | Saw Kill |
| Coordinates | 42.06294, -74.17450 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1800 (226 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,683 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 241 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,160 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF KINGSTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/24/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00081 |
| Federal ID | NY00081 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |