Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam
Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam is an earth dam located in Lewis County, New York, built in 1961. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam
The primary purpose of Whetstone Gulf Storage Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nysoprhp Thousand Islands Region (state). It impounds the Whetstone Creek near Glendale.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 301 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 318 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,642 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1961, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/25/2024.
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 | Lewis |
| Nearest City | Glendale |
| River/Stream | Whetstone Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.68306, -75.50917 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 301 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,642 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,642 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 899 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 318 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 334 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NYSOPRHP THOUSAND ISLANDS REGION |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00544 |
| Federal ID | NY00544 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |