Sugar Island
Sugar Island is a gravity dam located in St. Lawrence County, New York, built in 1925. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sugar Island
The primary purpose of Sugar Island is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.p. (private). It impounds the Raquette River near Potsdam.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 256 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 29 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 432 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 994 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. 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 05/13/2019.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New York |
| County | St. Lawrence |
| Nearest City | Potsdam |
| River/Stream | Raquette River |
| Coordinates | 44.62990, -74.97410 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 256 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 432 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 432 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 432 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 29 acres |
| Drainage Area | 994 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/13/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00248 |
| Federal ID | NY00248 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |