Keuka Lake Outlet Dam
Keuka Lake Outlet Dam is a concrete dam located in Yates County, New York, built in 1880. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Keuka Lake Outlet Dam
The primary purpose of Keuka Lake Outlet Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Keuka Lake Outlet Compact (local government). It impounds the Keuka Lake Outlet near Penn Yan.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11,712 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 165,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 182 square miles. Completed in 1880, 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 02/13/2025.
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 | Yates |
| Nearest City | Penn Yan |
| River/Stream | Keuka Lake Outlet |
| Coordinates | 42.65972, -77.05333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1880 (146 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 165,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 165,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11,712 acres |
| Drainage Area | 182 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | KEUKA LAKE OUTLET COMPACT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00390 |
| Federal ID | NY00390 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |