Potuck Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Greene County, New York, built in 1930. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 756 ft long, taller than 83% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Potuck Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Potuck Reservoir 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 Village of Catskill (local government). It impounds the Cob Creek near Leeds.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 756 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 70 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 05/20/2024.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% 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 | Greene |
| Nearest City | Leeds |
| River/Stream | Cob Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.33028, -73.91583 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 756 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,550 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,550 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 536 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Village of Catskill |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/20/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00307 |
| Federal ID | NY00307 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |