Wanaksink Lake Dam
Wanaksink Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Sullivan County, New York, built in 1852. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wanaksink Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Wanaksink Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Wanaksink Lake Club, Inc. (private). It impounds the Fowlwood Brook near Glen Wild.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 420 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 325 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,360 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1852, 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 09/16/2024.
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 | Sullivan |
| Nearest City | Glen Wild |
| River/Stream | Fowlwood Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.62392, -74.57710 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 420 ft |
| Year Completed | 1852 (174 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,360 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 325 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 325 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | WANAKSINK LAKE CLUB, INC. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00330 |
| Federal ID | NY00330 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |