Potake Lake Dam

About Potake Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Potake Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Veolia Water New York, Inc. (public utility). It impounds the Tr-ramapo River near Sloatsburg.

The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 93 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,149 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1800, 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 08/28/2024.

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.

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