Jennings Pond Dam

BUTTERMILK CREEK· Tompkins, New York· Built 1986· Earth· 17 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Jennings Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 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 17 ft (taller than 46.3% in NY)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage294 acre-ft
Normal Storage128 acre-ft
Surface Area32 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDNY00944

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: November 26, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS PARKS & RECREATION FINGER LAKES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jennings Pond Dam?

Jennings Pond 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 Jennings Pond Dam?

Jennings Pond Dam is owned by NYS PARKS & RECREATION FINGER LAKES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jennings Pond Dam built?

Jennings Pond Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Jennings Pond Dam?

Jennings Pond 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 Jennings Pond Dam?

Jennings Pond Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Jennings Pond Dam last inspected?

Jennings Pond Dam was last inspected on November 26, 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.