Lime Lake Outlet Dam

LIME LAKE OUTLET· Cattaraugus, New York· Built 1850· Earth· 12 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lime Lake Outlet Dam is classified as significant hazard in New York. It was completed in 1850 and is 176 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 23.2% in NY)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage616 acre-ft
Normal Storage550 acre-ft
Surface Area154 acres
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)
NID IDNY00924

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 25, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY;LIME LAKE COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lime Lake Outlet Dam?

Lime Lake Outlet Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lime Lake Outlet Dam?

Lime Lake Outlet Dam is owned by CATTARAUGUS COUNTY;LIME LAKE COTTAGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lime Lake Outlet Dam built?

Lime Lake Outlet Dam was completed in 1850, making it 176 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 Lime Lake Outlet Dam?

Lime Lake Outlet 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 Lime Lake Outlet Dam?

Lime Lake Outlet Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Lime Lake Outlet Dam last inspected?

Lime Lake Outlet Dam was last inspected on July 25, 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.