Science Lake Dam

QUAKER RUN· Cattaraugus, New York· Built 1925· Concrete· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Science Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 75.9% in NY)
Dam Length266 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage76 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,675 cfs
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDNY01342

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 4, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

NYS OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION & HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ALLEGANY REGION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Science Lake Dam?

Science Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Science Lake Dam?

Science Lake Dam is owned by NYS OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION & HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ALLEGANY REGION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Science Lake Dam built?

Science Lake Dam was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Science Lake Dam?

Science Lake 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 Science Lake Dam?

Science Lake Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Science Lake Dam last inspected?

Science Lake Dam was last inspected on October 4, 2011. 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.