Forge Dam
Forge Dam is a buttress dam located in Franklin County, New York, built in 1921. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Forge Dam
The primary purpose of Forge Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Chateaugay Lakes Water Level District (local government). It impounds the Chateaugay River near Brainardsville.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 568 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,816 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 100 square miles. Completed in 1921, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 03/20/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Brainardsville |
| River/Stream | Chateaugay River |
| Coordinates | 44.84139, -74.04111 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1921 (105 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,816 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,816 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,816 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 568 acres |
| Drainage Area | 100 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,920 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CHATEAUGAY LAKES WATER LEVEL DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/20/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00540 |
| Federal ID | NY00540 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |