Elmira Reformatory Dam is an earth dam located in Chemung County, New York, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall and 695 ft long, taller than 62% 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 Elmira Reformatory Dam
The primary purpose of Elmira Reformatory Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Nys Department of Corrections and Community Supervision - Faciltiies Planning (state). It impounds the Heller Creek near Elmira.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 695 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/07/2022.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Chemung |
| Nearest City | Elmira |
| River/Stream | Heller Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.11444, -76.84056 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 695 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 82 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 82 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 82 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | Nys Department of Corrections and Community Supervision - Faciltiies Planning |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 07/07/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY00995 |
| Federal ID | NY00995 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |