Conewango Creek Site 16a Dam

ELM CREEK· Cattaraugus, New York· Built 1970· Earth· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Conewango Creek Site 16a Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 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 42 ft (taller than 89.4% in NY)
Dam Length2,008 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge34,840 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDNY00557

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: June 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 16a Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16a 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 16a Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16a 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 16a Dam built?

Conewango Creek Site 16a Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 16a Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16a 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 16a Dam?

Conewango Creek Site 16a Dam has a dam height of 42 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 16a Dam last inspected?

Conewango Creek Site 16a Dam was last inspected on June 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.