Dryden Lake Outlet Dam
Dryden Lake Outlet Dam is a timber crib dam located in Tompkins County, New York, built in 1974. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Dryden Lake Outlet Dam
The primary purpose of Dryden 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 Nys Dec Division Of Fish And Wildlife (state). It impounds the Tr-virgil Creek near Dryden.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 83 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 113 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 345 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 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 02/27/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Tompkins |
| Nearest City | Dryden |
| River/Stream | Tr-virgil Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.46333, -76.28000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 83 ft |
| Year Completed | 1974 (52 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 345 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 345 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 260 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 113 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NYS DEC DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00569 |
| Federal ID | NY00569 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |