Van Natta Dam
Van Natta Dam is a concrete dam located in Tompkins County, New York, built in 1907. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Van Natta Dam
Van Natta Dam is a dam in Tompkins, New York. The dam is owned by City Of Ithaca (local government). It impounds the Six Mile Creek near Ithaca.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 142 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 49 square miles. Completed in 1907, the structure is over a century 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 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 02/27/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Tompkins |
| Nearest City | Ithaca |
| River/Stream | Six Mile Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.43361, -76.48583 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 142 ft |
| Year Completed | 1907 (119 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 49 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | CITY OF ITHACA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY11601 |
| Federal ID | NY11601 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |