Downsville Dam (Pepacton Reservoir)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Downsville Dam
Other Name: PEPACTON RESERVOIR
NID ID: NY00342
Longitude: -74.96611
Latitude: 42.07417
Map Section: Town of Colchester
County: DELAWARE
River: EAST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER
State: NY
Nearest City: DOWNSVILLE
Distance: 1 miles
Owner Name: NYCDEP DAMS WEST OF THE HUDSON RIVER
Owner Type: Local Government
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1954
Dam Length: 2400 feet
Dam Height: 204 feet
Maximum Discharge: 200000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 609740 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 420280 acre-feet
Surface Area: 5763 acres
Drainage Area: 372 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-04-04
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: NYS DEC
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Federal Funding Agency: PEPACTON RESERVOIR
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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