Lower Cornelius S Smith Dam Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 6, 2025

Lower Cornelius S Smith Dam, located in East Sidney, New York, is a privately-owned Earth dam constructed in 1959 for recreational purposes along the Tr-Ouleout Creek.


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Summary

With a height of 15 feet and a length of 300 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 9.8 million gallons and covers a surface area of 2.4 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam remains under state regulation with required inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 2 feet, and it is situated in Delaware County, New York, within the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The area is represented by Congressman Antonio Delgado and falls under state jurisdiction for regulatory oversight, inspection, and enforcement. Even though the dam poses moderate risk with a risk assessment rating of 3, there are no associated locks or outlet gates, and the last inspection in December 2019 highlighted the poor condition of the structure, signaling a need for potential risk management measures to ensure public safety and environmental protection in the region.

Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Lower Cornelius S Smith Dam would find its historical significance, recreational purpose, and state-regulated status intriguing. The dam, with its storage capacity, surface area, and drainage area, plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. However, the dam's condition assessment, hazard potential, and risk assessment underscore the importance of proactive maintenance, emergency preparedness, and risk management to mitigate potential failures and safeguard the surrounding community and environment.

Year Completed

1959

Dam Length

300

Dam Height

15

River Or Stream

Tr-Ouleout Creek

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

2.4

Drainage Area

0.23

Nid Storage

9.8

Hazard Potential

Significant

Nid Height

15
       
Seasonal Comparison

Weather Forecast

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Nearby Streamflow Levels

Lower Cornelius S Smith DamOULEOUT CREEK AT EAST SIDNEY NY Preview Ouleout Creek At East Sidney Ny
166.0cfs
166cfs
Lower Cornelius S Smith DamSUSQUEHANNA RIVER AT UNADILLA NY Preview Susquehanna River At Unadilla Ny
1000.0cfs
1000cfs
Lower Cornelius S Smith DamTROUT CREEK NEAR TROUT CREEK NY Preview Trout Creek Near Trout Creek Ny
9.69cfs
10cfs
Lower Cornelius S Smith DamUNADILLA RIVER AT ROCKDALE NY Preview Unadilla River At Rockdale Ny
494.0cfs
494cfs
Lower Cornelius S Smith DamWEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT WALTON NY Preview West Branch Delaware River At Walton Ny
372.0cfs
372cfs
Lower Cornelius S Smith DamSUSQUEHANNA RIVER AT BAINBRIDGE NY Preview Susquehanna River At Bainbridge Ny
1640.0cfs
1640cfs

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
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. Investigations and studies are necessary.
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.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.
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