Mcgregor Dam
Mcgregor Dam is a buttress dam located in Clinton County, New York, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Mcgregor Dam
The primary purpose of Mcgregor Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nys Dec Division Of Lands & Forests (state). It impounds the Chazy River near Altona.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 735 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 147 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 735 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 83 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 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 09/26/2023.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% 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 | Clinton |
| Nearest City | Altona |
| River/Stream | Chazy River |
| Coordinates | 44.86907, -73.67467 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 735 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 735 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 735 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 735 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 147 acres |
| Drainage Area | 83 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NYS DEC DIVISION OF LANDS & FORESTS |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00614 |
| Federal ID | NY00614 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |