NYS Parks has announced a series of near-term repairs to the Martin Dunham Dam, including valve replacements, waterproofing of the main valve chamber, and stabilization of the spillway outlet channel. On the surface, this feels like progress. These actions suggest the reservoir is not being immediately drained or abandoned. They also acknowledge the reservoir’s value as a public resource for recreation, habitat, and flood management. For a community that has long awaited information, this is a hopeful development.

However, these measures are temporary and do not guarantee long-term preservation. Nor do they bring the dam into full compliance with state safety regulations. The DEC’s recommendation that Parks “consider reservoir lowering” remains an active consideration. And Parks’ stated intention to “continue to explore options” keeps a range of outcomes on the table, including potential drawdowns, partial draining, or even dam removal.

Parks has begun managing water levels by opening outlet valves in controlled stages, reportedly up to 10 feet at a time. While this is described as a routine safety precaution, each drawdown may have lasting impacts. Lowering the reservoir can influence shoreline stability, aquatic habitats, recreational access, and the park’s ecological balance. Over time, repeated drawdowns have the potential to shift public expectations, making gradual reduction seem inevitable. In some cases, this type of “managed decline” is viewed as a way to limit risk exposure without committing to major repairs.

Liability concerns are a factor in any infrastructure decision. The DEC’s classification of the dam as “unsound” places Parks in a challenging position. Committing to full repairs or a rebuild would require addressing costly, long-term compliance obligations. Conversely, managed drawdowns or eventual removal may reduce risk exposure by minimizing potential hazards under current safety standards. While it’s impossible to speculate on Parks’ intentions, it’s clear that these interim measures serve to address immediate safety concerns without settling the larger question of the reservoir’s future.

That uncertainty is why ongoing public advocacy remains essential. Without strong community involvement, temporary actions can set the stage for permanent outcomes, especially when framed around safety or regulatory compliance. Drawdowns, even when introduced as interim measures, can begin to resemble de facto decommissioning if left unchallenged.

It’s important that near-term proposals, no matter how well-intentioned, don’t obscure the long-term goal of full reservoir restoration and permanent preservation. Interim safety work should be the first step toward protecting Martin Dunham Reservoir, not a substitute for meaningful, lasting solutions.

This latest update is not a conclusion, it’s a reminder of how much remains undecided. If we stay silent, we may watch short-term repairs evolve into long-term loss. The future of Martin Dunham Reservoir depends on sustained community engagement and accountability.

Sign and share the petition at www.savedunham.org

You can read the update from Parks below:
Official Update from NYS Parks: Martin Dunham Dam Update

NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pursuing near-term measures to improve dam safety at the Martin Dunham Reservoir.

NYS Parks will begin designing a project to replace four 24-inch low-level outlet valves, waterproof the main valve chamber, repair the inlet structure, and stabilize the spillway outlet channel. The NYS DEC Bureau of Flood Protection and Dam Safety considers the dam “unsound” as it does not meet current safety standards and recommended that “reservoir lowering should be considered as an interim safety measure.”

While these measures will not bring the dam into full compliance with DEC dam safety regulations, they will enable park staff to actively manage the reservoir level as necessary. Reducing the reservoir’s water level serves to provide increased storage for storm events, reduce seepage pressures at the main embankment, and reduce the risk of overtopping the dam. NYS Parks has opened an outlet valve within the Dike Section of the dam to reflect those goals of improving the safety of the structure.

NYS Parks will continue to explore options and funding sources to come into full compliance with dam regulations while preserving quality recreational options and natural habitat in this area of Grafton Lakes State Park

Disclaimer: This statement reflects an interpretation of publicly available information from NYS Parks and the DEC and includes opinions based on that information. Readers are encouraged to review official updates directly and form their own conclusions.