Shelby Center Dam
Shelby Center Dam is a concrete dam located in Orleans County, New York, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Shelby Center Dam
Shelby Center Dam is a dam in Orleans, New York. The dam is owned by William R Keppler (private). It impounds the Oak Orchard Creek near Shelby.
The dam stands 6 feet tall and stretches 150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 10 acre-feet. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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. The most recent inspection on record was 09/26/2024.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Orleans |
| Nearest City | Shelby |
| River/Stream | Oak Orchard Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.19000, -78.38611 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Length | 150 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | William R Keppler |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/26/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY10427 |
| Federal ID | NY10427 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |