Caneadea Dam

CANEADEA CREEK· Allegany, New York· Built 1929· Concrete· 140 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Caneadea Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 140 ft (taller than 99.4% in NY)
Dam Length625 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage27.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage25.4K acre-ft
Surface Area578 acres
Drainage Area61 sq mi
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
NID IDNY00464

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: August 20, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

RUSHFORD LAKE RECREATION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Caneadea Dam?

Caneadea 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 Caneadea Dam?

Caneadea Dam is owned by RUSHFORD LAKE RECREATION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Caneadea Dam built?

Caneadea Dam was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 Caneadea Dam?

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

How tall is Caneadea Dam?

Caneadea Dam has a dam height of 140 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 Caneadea Dam last inspected?

Caneadea Dam was last inspected on August 20, 2020. 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.