Beecher Creek Flood Control Dam
Beecher Creek Flood Control Dam is an earth dam located in Chemung County, New York, built in 1999. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Beecher Creek Flood Control Dam
The primary purpose of Beecher Creek Flood Control Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Town Of Elmira (local government). It impounds the Tr-chemung River near Elmira.
The dam stands 63 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 years old.
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 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 07/25/2024.
At 63 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Chemung |
| Nearest City | Elmira |
| River/Stream | Tr-chemung River |
| Coordinates | 42.09139, -76.84611 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 63 ft |
| Dam Height | 63 ft |
| Year Completed | 1999 (27 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 31 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | TOWN OF ELMIRA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY15070 |
| Federal ID | NY15070 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |