Mill Street Dam is a concrete dam located in Cayuga County, New York, built in 1800. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 280 ft long, taller than 50% 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 concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Mill Street Dam
The primary purpose of Mill Street Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City of Auburn, Ny (local government). It impounds the Owasco River near Auburn.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 280 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 137 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 203 square miles. Completed in 1800, 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 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 09/13/2022.
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 | Cayuga |
| Nearest City | Auburn |
| River/Stream | Owasco River |
| Coordinates | 42.92860, -76.55940 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 280 ft |
| Year Completed | 1800 (226 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 137 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 137 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 137 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 203 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | City of Auburn, Ny |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00775 |
| Federal ID | NY00775 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |