Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam

ELM CREEK· Cattaraugus, New York· Built 1964· Earth· 51 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 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 51 ft (taller than 92.4% in NY)
Dam Length720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage95 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge13,576 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDNY00593

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: May 9, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY;Cattaraugus County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16 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 Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam is owned by CATTARAUGUS COUNTY;Cattaraugus County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam built?

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam has a dam height of 51 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 Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam last inspected?

Conewango Creek Site 16 Dam was last inspected on May 9, 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.