Madison Reservoir Dam (Lake Moraine)

The New York State Canal Corporation is the owner of the Madison Reservoir Dam in the Town of Madison (Madison County) and is responsible for ensuring its safe operation. It was constructed in 1836 as an impoundment of Madison (Payne) Brook as a feeder to the Chenango Canal. While the reservoir and dam are no longer used as part of the New York State Canal System, the Canal Corporation continues to manage water levels through the dam. Water levels are managed to support seasonal recreational use, but also to allow for dam inspections and maintenance when necessary.

The Canal Corporation is in the early design stage of a rehabilitation project of the dam to enhance the dam’s safety and ensure it continues operating as designed so those who work, live, and recreate on and around Lake Moraine can continue to do so for many years to come.

This page serves to provide information about the dam, its history, and the Canal Corporation’s current efforts to rehabilitate the dam.

Why Now?

Although the dam has been routinely inspected and repaired as needed, it has not been significantly rehabilitated since 1983. The work planned in the coming years is extensive, including replacement of the spillway and low level outlet system that are used to manage water levels, and rehabilitation and improvements to the dam’s earthen embankments. An extensive rehabilitation will ensure the dam is designed to current standards and continues to function safely.

About the Dam

A map view of Madison County which shows where the Madison Reservoir Dam is.

An aerial view of the Madison Reservoir Dam with Lake Moraine labeled.

Dam History

A timeline graphic showing the history of the Madison Reservoir Dam from 1836 through 1983.

What is an Earthen Dam?

A graphic showing how earthen dams are constructed.

The Earthen Embankment Integrity Program (EEIP) applies to earthen embankments along the New York State (NYS) Canal System. It does not apply to dams such as Madison Reservoir Dam.

Page Contents

Current Dam Components

Dam Boundary

Dam Elements

Left Embankment Crest

Right Embankment and Valve House

Major Project Components

A map graphic with a diagram of the elements that compose the Madison Reservoir Dam.

Additional detail regarding the improvements to the dam will be provided as the design develops.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Additional information and further project details will be available as they are developed, and additional opportunities to engage with NYPA and NYSCC will be offered throughout the process. Please check back at this website for future updates on the project.

A public information session was held on 7/23/2024.

Additional public information sessions will be scheduled throughout design and construction.

Project Updates

The project is still in preliminary design. It is perfectly normal for an undertaking of this magnitude to take many, many months of preparation before any construction activities begin. We are proceeding as carefully and as thoughtfully as possible to ensure we carry out a project that is done responsibly, safely, in accordance with all state and federal regulations, while mitigating impacts to the community to the greatest extent possible.

Public Engagement

July 23 2024, Public Information Session

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the project slated to begin?

The project is currently in the design phase which is expected to continue through 2025. At this time, construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 with the majority of the work being completed in a two-year period, through 2027. To facilitate construction and the safe execution of the work, it is also anticipated that the reservoir will be drawn down for the duration of this two-year period from 2026 through 2027.

What will the project entail?

This project will be a comprehensive rehabilitation of the dam and entire site. The primary components of the project are replacement of the spillway and low-level outlet system, and rehabilitation and improvements to the earthen embankments. The improvements will be designed in consideration of current standards and will enhance the safety, operability, and longevity of the dam. The project is still in the design phase and is subject to change.

Are there current issues affecting its safety?

The dam is classified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a high-hazard Class C dam. That means communities downstream from the dam would likely suffer severe damage or loss of life if the dam failed. While there is no imminent danger of failure, extensive repairs are needed to ensure long-term safety and integrity of the dam and its appurtenant structures.

When will the drawdown start and how deep will it be?

At this time, the drawdown is anticipated to begin no earlier than fall 2025 to facilitate construction beginning in 2026. It is also anticipated that the reservoir will be drawn down for the two-year duration of major construction work from 2026 through 2027. At this time, we don’t anticipate that the reservoir will be drawn down more than 10 feet below the normal pool (spillway crest elevation). As the design develops and is finalized the timeframe and magnitude of the drawdown will be refined and shared accordingly.

Will the reservoir be impacted for the current 2024 season?

There are no plans to start the project in 2024, or through the summer of 2025.

How can I get updates about the project?

The Canal Corporation will post regular updates about the project’s progress on this website.

Where can I find more information about the reservoir?

You can find more information about the reservoir at https://www.lakemoraineny.org/.