Little York Dam

WEST BR TIOUGHNIOGA RIVER· Cortland, New York· Built 2015· Earth· 7 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little York Dam is classified as significant hazard in New York. It was completed in 2015 and is 11 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.9% in NY)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage819 acre-ft
Normal Storage532 acre-ft
Surface Area150 acres
Drainage Area33 sq mi
Max Discharge1,820 cfs
Year Completed2015 (11 years old)
NID IDNY01023

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: September 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CORTLAND COUNTY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little York Dam?

Little York 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 Little York Dam?

Little York Dam is owned by CORTLAND COUNTY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little York Dam built?

Little York Dam was completed in 2015, making it 11 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 Little York Dam?

Little York 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 Little York Dam?

Little York Dam has a dam height of 7 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 Little York Dam last inspected?

Little York Dam was last inspected on September 1, 2020. 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.