Waterloo
Waterloo is a concrete dam located in Seneca County, New York, built in 1915. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Waterloo
The primary purpose of Waterloo is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (state). It impounds the Seneca Canal near Waterloo.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 306 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 43,200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 447,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 746 square miles. Completed in 1915, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/10/2022.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New York dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New York |
| County | Seneca |
| Nearest City | Waterloo |
| River/Stream | Seneca Canal |
| Coordinates | 42.90179, -76.86437 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 306 ft |
| Year Completed | 1915 (111 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 477,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 447,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 477,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 43,200 acres |
| Drainage Area | 746 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,850 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | New York State Canal Corporation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00709 |
| Federal ID | NY00709 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |