Description and History of the Bartlett Carry Dam:
The Bartlett Carry Dam is owned and operated by the Upper Saranac Foundation. The dam is classified as a Class “B”, Intermediate Hazard dam by the NYSDEC.
The Dam was reportedly constructed in the 1850s across the outlet of the Upper Saranac Lake as a means of controlling the level of the Lake for logging purposes. In the later 1800s, a saw mill was built on the site. It was extensively rebuilt in 1913/14 but had to be rebuilt again in 1920 due to poor construction. Upper Saranac Lake has a surface area of approximately 5,070 acres, and the drainage basin above the dam covers about 76-1/2 square miles. The dam was reconstructed to meet contemporary standards in 1994
The dam is approximately 335 feet long and consists of two spillways, a center (non-overflow) section, formerly the location of a generator, and two earthen embankments with cut-off walls on either end of each spillway. There are no gates or other flow control mechanisms in the dam. The two spillways are at different elevations. The lower spillway, known as the service (or primary) spillway, is at elevation 1571.42 and is 52 feet long. It is located on the north side of the center (non-overflow) section. The southern spillway (at elevation 1571.75, or 4″ higher than the service spillway) is 122 feet long and contains a “fish passage slot” near its mid-point.
The average annual flow at the dam was estimated (by Christie Engineering, 1992) to be 140 cfs. The reconstruction of the Dam in 1994, in accordance with engineering plans, was designed for a flow of (150% of the 100 year flood), or 920 cfs, which is a water level of 1.7 feet above the lower spillway. In the spring of 2011 the water was flowing 1.4 feet (16.8 inches) over the lower spillway, or at approximately 80% of the designed flow.
There is a plan in place for implementing ongoing upkeep. This includes obtaining an annual NYS DEC certification and developing and fulfilling an Inspection and Maintenance Protocol. The Foundation keeps detailed engineering records, maintenance accounts and inspection reports.
Multiple routine safety inspections are conducted annually by the Lake Manager and a licensed engineer. In addition, the Bartlett Carry Dam Emergency Action Plan is reviewed and is updated annually as well as routine maintenance including brushing, mowing, side cutting and removing encroaching trees from the access road and embankments.
As owners of the Bartlett Carry Dam, the Upper Saranac Foundation complies with NYSDEC Dam Safety standards and follows their required protocols. We understand the importance of maintaining the dam, assuring reliable water levels and providing safety to those downstream.
For information on dam maintenance: