Rensselaer Lake Dam
Rensselaer Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Albany County, New York, built in 1850. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Rensselaer Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Rensselaer Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Albany Water Board (local government). It impounds the Tr-hudson River near Roessleville.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 42 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 472 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1850, 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 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 04/25/2024.
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 | Albany |
| Nearest City | Roessleville |
| River/Stream | Tr-hudson River |
| Coordinates | 42.69611, -73.83222 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1850 (176 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 472 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 472 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 367 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 42 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 670 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ALBANY WATER BOARD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY01334 |
| Federal ID | NY01334 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |