Lock E-3 Spillway Bypass Dam
Lock E-3 Spillway Bypass Dam is an earth dam located in Saratoga County, New York, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lock E-3 Spillway Bypass Dam
The primary purpose of Lock E-3 Spillway Bypass Dam is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (state). It impounds the Erie Canal.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 323 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 196 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1918, the structure is over a century 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 03/28/2024.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New York |
| County | Saratoga |
| River/Stream | Erie Canal |
| Coordinates | 42.79567, -73.68575 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 323 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 196 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 196 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 147 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | New York State Canal Corporation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/28/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY17177 |
| Federal ID | NY17177 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |