The Wilkie Reservoir Dam is located in Warren County, New York in the Town of Queensbury about 2 miles west of Butler Pond Road within the eastern limits of the Adirondack Park. The impoundment was constructed at the headwaters of Halfway Brook in the Upper Hudson River Watershed and is a water supply source for the City of Glens Falls. Historical data indicates that the reservoir was originally constructed about 1878.

The Wilkie Reservoir Dam was constructed as an earthen embankment with a stone and masonry core wall. The primary spillway was a 36-inch diameter, cast iron, drop inlet. A metal catwalk extends from the crest of the dam to the drop inlet where a valve operator facilitates the flow of reservoir water through a 16-inch cast iron carrier pipe through the embankment. In addition, a low level outlet structure was constructed within the reservoir of stone and mortar, which houses an 8-inch cast iron pipe through the embankment, to allow the reservoir to be lowered.

The dam is a high hazard Class "C" dam under the NYSDEC dam hazard classification system. This hazard classification is based on the potential for the loss of life and severe property damage that may result in the event of a dam breach or uncontrolled release of water from the impoundment.

The dam is currently being rehabilitated to meet the current NYSDEC requirements and to make necessary repairs. Construction is being performed by The Pike Company and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2010. The updates to the dam will include:

• Tree removal and access road construction
• SCADA system installation to monitor reservoir elevation
• A new 18-inch low level outlet siphon system and valve house to allow the reservoir to be drawn down
• Abandonment of the low level outlet pipe due to the age and condition of this outlet
• A new 24-foot wide primary spillway with an ogee weir crest constructed on the west abutment which will pass the design storm event
• An access bridge constructed over the new spillway for access to the new low level outlet valve house
• Lining of an existing 16-inch mid-level pipe and replacement of an existing valve; this will be used to facilitate draw of water from the reservoir for City use
• Installation of seepage control blankets and stabilization berm

The photos below were taken before construction; photos throughout construction will be updated on this page weekly.