60 Foot Dam
60 Foot Dam is a concrete dam located in Tompkins County, New York, built in 1911. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About 60 Foot Dam
The primary purpose of 60 Foot 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 City Of Ithaca (local government). It impounds the Sixmile Creek near Ithaca.
The dam stands 75 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 47 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,290 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 45 square miles. Completed in 1911, 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 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 02/27/2025.
At 75 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Tompkins |
| Nearest City | Ithaca |
| River/Stream | Sixmile Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.41750, -76.46083 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 47 acres |
| Drainage Area | 45 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF ITHACA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00378 |
| Federal ID | NY00378 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |