Green Lake Dam

SOUTH BRANCH SMOKE CREEK· Erie, New York· Built 1909· Earth· 37 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Green Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	37 ft (taller than 86.3% in NY)
Dam Length	480 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	245 acre-ft
Normal Storage	218 acre-ft

Surface Area	24 acres
Drainage Area	3 sq mi
Max Discharge	11,500 cfs
Year Completed	1909 (117 years old)
NID ID	NY00892

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 21, 2019

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

TOWN OF ORCHARD PARK

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Green Lake Dam?

Green Lake 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 Green Lake Dam?

Green Lake Dam is owned by TOWN OF ORCHARD PARK (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Green Lake Dam built?

Green Lake Dam was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Green Lake Dam?

Green 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 Green Lake Dam?

Green Lake Dam has a dam height of 37 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 Green Lake Dam last inspected?

Green Lake Dam was last inspected on June 21, 2019. 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.