Guilford Lake Dam
Guilford Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Chenango County, New York, built in 1827. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Guilford Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Guilford Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Guilford (local government). It impounds the Guilford Creek near Guilford.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 62 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 74 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 560 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1827, 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 05/27/2025.
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 | Chenango |
| Nearest City | Guilford |
| River/Stream | Guilford Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.40944, -75.49551 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 62 ft |
| Year Completed | 1827 (199 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 560 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 560 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 390 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 74 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | TOWN OF GUILFORD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY01483 |
| Federal ID | NY01483 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |