Otis Young Dam dam
Otis Young Dam
Otis Young Dam, also known as Otis Young Rec Pond, is a private dam located in East Homer, New York. Completed in 1974 with a height of 14 feet and a length of 1150 feet, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 10 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-E Branch Tioughnioga River, the dam is state regulated by the NYS DEC, with inspection, permitting, and enforcement processes in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Otis Young Dam poses a manageable level of risk. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 20 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 35 cubic feet per second. While its condition is currently unrated, the dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion, and its last inspection dates back to May 1997. Despite its age, Otis Young Dam remains a vital recreational resource in the Cortland County area, providing both locals and visitors with opportunities for water-based activities and enjoyment.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Otis Young Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tioughnioga River At Cortland Ny | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Otselic River At Cincinnatus Ny | 535 cfs | → |
| Onondaga Creek Near Cardiff Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Onondaga Cr At Dorwin Ave. | 548 cfs | → |
| Harbor Brook At Syracuse Ny | 5 cfs | → |
| Onondaga Cr At Spencer St. | 619 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otis Young Dam.
Boat launches
- Tully Lake
- Markham Hollow Road 279, Town Of Fabius
- Papish Pond
- Balsam Pond
- Long Pond
- Kinne Road 6895, Town Of Dewitt
Track Otis Young Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Otis Young Dam
Where does the data for Otis Young Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Otis Young Dam.