Ripley Reservoir Dam
Ripley Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Chautauqua County, New York, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Ripley Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Ripley Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Ripley (local government). It impounds the Tr-lake Erie near Ripley.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 93 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/11/2023.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Chautauqua |
| Nearest City | Ripley |
| River/Stream | Tr-lake Erie |
| Coordinates | 42.25194, -79.69361 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 93 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 93 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 84 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | TOWN OF RIPLEY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00890 |
| Federal ID | NY00890 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |