Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam

VIRGIL CREEK· Tompkins, New York· Built 1998· Earth· 70 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1998 and is 28 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 70 ft (taller than 96.4% in NY)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area18 sq mi
Year Completed1998 (28 years old)
NID IDNY14995

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: November 26, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

TOMPKINS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING;Town of Dryden;Village of Dryden

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater 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 Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam is owned by TOMPKINS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING;Town of Dryden;Village of Dryden (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam built?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam was completed in 1998, making it 28 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 Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam has a dam height of 70 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 Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam last inspected?

Virgil Creek Watershed Floodwater Dam was last inspected on November 26, 2018. 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.