Waterloo Dam (Seneca Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Waterloo
Other Name: SENECA LAKE DAM
NID ID: NY00709
Longitude: -76.8628
Latitude: 42.9019
County: SENECA
River: SENECA CANAL
State: NY
Nearest City: Waterloo
Owner Name: NEW YORK STATE CANAL CORPORATION
Owner Type: State
Private Dam? No
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1915
Year Modified/Mod Type: 1998S
Dam Length: 306 feet
Dam Height: 16.5 feet
Maximum Discharge: 6807 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 518400 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 475200 acre-feet
Surface Area: 43200 acres
Drainage Area: 746 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-09-21
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: NYS DEC
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 138 feet
Outlet Gates: T4;
Length of Locks: 480 feet
Lock Width: 55 feet
Federal Funding Agency: SENECA LAKE DAM
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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