Loch Lyall Dam
Loch Lyall Dam is a concrete dam located in Putnam County, New York, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Loch Lyall Dam
The primary purpose of Loch Lyall Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Amor Towles (private). It impounds the Indian Brook near Nelson Corners.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 98 acre-feet. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/24/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Putnam |
| Nearest City | Nelson Corners |
| River/Stream | Indian Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.41556, -73.90722 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 98 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 98 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Max Discharge | 190 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Amor Towles |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 01/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY01201 |
| Federal ID | NY01201 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |