New Hope Saw Mill Dam

BEAR SWAMP CREEK· Cayuga, New York· Built 1850· Concrete· 19 ft tall
Significant Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

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

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 53.6% in NY)
Dam Length190 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge850 cfs
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)
NID IDNY11556

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 31, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

CAYUGA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT;DALE WEED

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of New Hope Saw Mill Dam?

New Hope Saw Mill 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 New Hope Saw Mill Dam?

New Hope Saw Mill Dam is owned by CAYUGA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT;DALE WEED (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was New Hope Saw Mill Dam built?

New Hope Saw Mill 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 New Hope Saw Mill Dam?

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

How tall is New Hope Saw Mill Dam?

New Hope Saw Mill Dam has a dam height of 19 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 New Hope Saw Mill Dam last inspected?

New Hope Saw Mill Dam was last inspected on July 31, 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.