Dwyer Dam

CASCADILLA CREEK· Tompkins, New York· Built 1966· Concrete· 36 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Dwyer Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 85.3% in NY)
Dam Length78 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage24 acre-ft
Normal Storage24 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Max Discharge1,400 cfs
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDNY01228

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: July 31, 1980
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dwyer Dam?

Dwyer 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 Dwyer Dam?

Dwyer Dam is owned by CORNELL UNIVERSITY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dwyer Dam built?

Dwyer Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Dwyer Dam?

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

How tall is Dwyer Dam?

Dwyer 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 Dwyer Dam last inspected?

Dwyer Dam was last inspected on July 31, 1980. 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.