Public Forum Held as Rensselaer County Legislature Prepares Vote on Martin Dunham Reservoir’s Future

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. — July 2, 2025
Residents gathered Wednesday evening at the Rensselaer County Legislature chambers in East Greenbush to offer public comment on the future of the Martin Dunham Reservoir. The forum, held in advance of a scheduled vote on Resolution P/25 on Monday, July 8, provided attendees an opportunity to speak directly to legislators about the reservoir’s uncertain future.

Constructed in 1911 to supply water to the City of Troy, the Martin Dunham Reservoir is now a key part of Grafton Lakes State Park. It serves as a recreational destination, a fire suppression water source, and a valued ecological feature. However, following a recent classification of the dam as “High Hazard,” the State of New York is evaluating scenarios that include full or partial removal of the dam, which would permanently drain the lake.

Speakers at the forum shared a range of concerns, calling on county leaders to oppose dam removal. “They took away all the land and our tax base, and now they want to take our reservoir,” said one resident. Another added, “We can’t keep kicking the can down the road.” Several attendees urged lawmakers to take formal action. “We are here to ask for legislation to go against the State of New York to save the dam.”

At a June 11 public meeting hosted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, engineers presented three options under consideration:
The first is full rehabilitation, which would preserve the reservoir in its current form. The plan includes raising the dam’s crest, reinforcing the downstream slope, upgrading the spillway, and installing monitoring equipment. Estimated at $20.1 million, this is the only option that retains the lake and all existing recreational and emergency uses.

The second, partial removal with stream and wetland restoration, would involve breaching the dam and regrading the basin to support a semi-natural stream corridor. At $9.6 million, this option would eliminate lake-based recreation and result in a slow ecological transition over several years.

The third and lowest-cost option, partial removal without restoration, would allow the reservoir to drain without reestablishing a stream or removing sediment. Priced at $6.1 million, this approach eliminates the reservoir and provides no environmental planning. “The state neglected to study what the rain runoff would do if the dam was removed,” said one speaker. “It was never even considered.”

Some questioned the framing of the study itself. “My reason for coming tonight is to talk about the state’s plan to destroy the Dunham Reservoir. The plan was flawed. The study appears to me to have a predetermined outcome.” Another resident referenced past weather events: “The dam survived a 500-year storm just a few years ago, and the water never approached the top. The idea of imminent failure doesn’t match what we’ve actually seen.”

Attendees also raised concerns about limited speaking time during prior state-led meetings. “We were cut off at the meeting because of the time limits and couldn’t speak,” one said. Others asked for more transparency and thorough analysis. “We’re asking for some common-sense evaluation of the plan.” Another added, “The state really needs to start managing that property like the valuable resource that it is.”

Resolution P/25, introduced by Legislators Bruce Patire, Jeff Wysocki, and Dan Casale, urges the State of New York to reject any proposal that would result in draining the reservoir. It has received support from members of the Majority Conference and Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman, who pledged to support efforts to preserve the reservoir for the citizens of Rensselaer County and the rest of the Capital Region to enjoy.

Public interest in the issue has grown steadily. More than 200 residents attended the June 11 meeting at Tamarac High School, and a petition hosted at www.savedunham.org has gathered over 800 signatures. “We need your help to save the dam and the reservoir,” said one speaker during the forum.

While partial removal with stream restoration has become a common approach for aging dams across New York that no longer serve a utility function, many residents are hoping Martin Dunham Reservoir will be seen differently, both for its cultural value and long-standing public use.

The final decision rests with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. What happens next may depend on how state leaders weigh risk, cost, and public input in the weeks ahead.

Support the effort. Visit www.savedunham.org to learn more, sign the petition, and make your voice heard. You can also follow and engage with the Save Dunham Facebook page for updates, events, and ways to get involved.

All views and quotes are attributed to speakers at a public forum on July 2, 2025. This article is presented for informational and reporting purposes. For official state documentation or updates, refer to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.