Empire Lake Dam

EVELIN HILL CREEK· Tioga, New York· Built 1965· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Empire Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 49.5% in NY)
Dam Length430 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage166 acre-ft
Normal Storage145 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge160 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDNY00543

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: May 25, 1994
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

HARRIS ENTERPRISES INC

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Empire Lake Dam?

Empire Lake 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 Empire Lake Dam?

Empire Lake Dam is owned by HARRIS ENTERPRISES INC (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Empire Lake Dam built?

Empire Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Empire Lake Dam?

Empire Lake 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 Empire Lake Dam?

Empire Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Empire Lake Dam last inspected?

Empire Lake Dam was last inspected on May 25, 1994. 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.