New Hope Saw Mill Dam

New Hope Saw Mill Dam is a concrete dam located in Cayuga County, New York, built in 1850. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About New Hope Saw Mill Dam

New Hope Saw Mill Dam is a dam in Cayuga, New York. The dam is owned by Cayuga County Highway Department;dale Weed (private). It impounds the Bear Swamp Creek near New Hope.

The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 190 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1850, 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. 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 09/21/2023.

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Significant HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNew York
CountyCayuga
Nearest CityNew Hope
River/StreamBear Swamp Creek
Coordinates42.79778, -76.34611

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height19 ft
Dam Height19 ft
Dam Length190 ft
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage500 acre-ft
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge850 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeOther
OwnerCAYUGA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT;DALE WEED
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection09/21/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNY11556
Federal IDNY11556
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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