Spruce Lake Dam
Spruce Lake Dam is a masonry dam located in Herkimer County, New York, built in 1897. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Spruce Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Spruce Lake 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 Little Falls (local government). It impounds the Spruce Creek near Paper Mill Corners.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 120 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 100 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,060 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 36 square miles. Completed in 1897, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 03/27/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Herkimer |
| Nearest City | Paper Mill Corners |
| River/Stream | Spruce Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.16194, -74.84222 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 120 ft |
| Year Completed | 1897 (129 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,060 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,060 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 460 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 100 acres |
| Drainage Area | 36 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF LITTLE FALLS |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00189 |
| Federal ID | NY00189 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |