30 Foot Dam

SIXMILE CREEK· Tompkins, New York· Built 1903· Arch· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

30 Foot Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 85.3% in NY)
Dam Length86 ft
Dam TypeArch
Max Storage397 acre-ft
Normal Storage287 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area47 sq mi
Year Completed1903 (123 years old)
NID IDNY00395

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 26, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CITY OF ITHACA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of 30 Foot Dam?

30 Foot Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates 30 Foot Dam?

30 Foot Dam is owned by CITY OF ITHACA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was 30 Foot Dam built?

30 Foot Dam was completed in 1903, making it 123 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of 30 Foot Dam?

30 Foot Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is 30 Foot Dam?

30 Foot Dam has a dam height of 36 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was 30 Foot Dam last inspected?

30 Foot Dam was last inspected on November 26, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.