Arkport Dam
Arkport Dam is an earth dam located in Steuben County, New York, built in 1940. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Arkport Dam
The primary purpose of Arkport Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Baltimore District (federal). It impounds the Canisteo River near Arkport.
The dam stands 131 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 11,095 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 30 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/16/2025.
At 131 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Steuben |
| Nearest City | Arkport |
| River/Stream | Canisteo River |
| Coordinates | 42.39699, -77.71503 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 131 ft |
| Dam Height | 131 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,095 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,095 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 30 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,040 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Baltimore District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 07/16/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00856 |
| Federal ID | NY00856 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |