Dryden Lake Outlet Dam

TR-VIRGIL CREEK· Tompkins, New York· Built 1974· Timber Crib· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 9% in NY)
Dam Length83 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage345 acre-ft
Normal Storage260 acre-ft
Surface Area113 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge800 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDNY00569

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 13, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS DEC - DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dryden Lake Outlet Dam?

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Dryden Lake Outlet Dam?

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam is owned by NYS DEC - DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dryden Lake Outlet Dam built?

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Dryden Lake Outlet Dam?

Dryden Lake Outlet 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 Dryden Lake Outlet Dam?

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Dryden Lake Outlet Dam last inspected?

Dryden Lake Outlet Dam was last inspected on August 13, 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.