Hoffman Creek Dam is an earth dam located in Chemung County, New York, built in 1871. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 800 ft long, taller than 82% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Hoffman Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Hoffman Creek 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 Elmira Water Board (local government). It impounds the Hoffman Brook near Elmira.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 570 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1871, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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. 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 07/25/2024.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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 | Chemung |
| Nearest City | Elmira |
| River/Stream | Hoffman Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.10806, -76.84833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1871 (155 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 570 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 570 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 460 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,731 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Elmira Water Board |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00463 |
| Federal ID | NY00463 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |