Mill Street Dam

Owasco River· Cayuga, New York· Built 1800· Concrete· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mill Street Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1800 and is 226 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 25 ft (taller than 69.7% in NY)
Dam Length280 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage137 acre-ft
Normal Storage137 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area203 sq mi
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Year Completed1800 (226 years old)
NID IDNY00775

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: September 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

City of Auburn, NY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mill Street Dam?

Mill Street 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 Mill Street Dam?

Mill Street Dam is owned by City of Auburn, NY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mill Street Dam built?

Mill Street Dam was completed in 1800, making it 226 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 Mill Street Dam?

Mill Street Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mill Street Dam?

Mill Street Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Mill Street Dam last inspected?

Mill Street Dam was last inspected on September 13, 2022. 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.