Hemlock Lake Dam
Hemlock Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Livingston County, New York, built in 1926. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Hemlock Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Hemlock Lake 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 Rochester (local government). It impounds the Springwater Creek near Hemlock.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 3,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,054 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 41,101 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 43 square miles. Completed in 1926, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 05/02/2024.
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 | Livingston |
| Nearest City | Hemlock |
| River/Stream | Springwater Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.77750, -77.61667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1926 (100 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 41,101 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 41,101 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 22,356 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,054 acres |
| Drainage Area | 43 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 10,799 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF ROCHESTER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/02/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00477 |
| Federal ID | NY00477 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |