Keuka Lake Outlet Dam

KEUKA LAKE OUTLET· Yates, New York· Built 1880· Concrete· 11 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 11 ft (taller than 19.5% in NY)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage165.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage80.5K acre-ft
Surface Area11,712 acres
Drainage Area182 sq mi
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)
NID IDNY00390

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 14, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

KEUKA LAKE OUTLET COMPACT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Keuka Lake Outlet Dam?

Keuka Lake Outlet 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 Keuka Lake Outlet Dam?

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam is owned by KEUKA LAKE OUTLET COMPACT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Keuka Lake Outlet Dam built?

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Keuka Lake Outlet Dam?

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Keuka Lake Outlet Dam?

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Keuka Lake Outlet Dam last inspected?

Keuka Lake Outlet Dam was last inspected on November 14, 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.