Mount Morris Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Morris Dam |
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 Location of Mount Morris Dam in New York
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Livingston County |
| Coordinates | 42°44′00″N 77°54′25″W / 42.733333°N 77.906944°W |
| Status | In use |
| Construction began | 1948 |
| Opening date | 1952 |
| Owner(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Genesee River |
| Height | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Length | 1,028 ft (313 m) |
The Mount Morris Dam is a huge concrete wall built across the Genesee River in New York. It is located south of Rochester in Livingston County, New York, right next to Letchworth State Park. The dam's main job is to stop big floods from happening, especially in the city of Rochester.
Contents
The Dam's Story
The Mount Morris Dam was built between 1948 and 1952. It was a big project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The United States Congress approved the project in 1944 to help control floods.
Why the Dam Was Needed
For many years, the Genesee River Valley and the city of Rochester had serious flooding problems. Records show floods happening since the 1800s. A huge flood in 1865 caused massive damage. Severe floods happened about every seven years between 1865 and 1950.
How the Dam Helps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says that since the dam was finished, it has prevented an estimated $1 billion in flood damage. For example, during Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the dam stopped about $210 million in damage, mostly in Rochester.
During Hurricane Agnes, so much water flowed into the reservoir that it was almost full. The dam had to release some water through its gates. This caused only minor flooding downstream. These releases were done to prevent the water from flowing over the top of the dam. If that had happened, a lot of debris would have gone downstream, causing even more damage. Floods this big are only expected to happen about once every 300 years.
Celebrating the Dam
In June 2002, people celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Mount Morris Dam's completion. A special event was held to honor the men and women who worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and those who built the dam between 1948 and 1952.
A special kiosk was dedicated during the celebration. This kiosk stands on a foundation made of bricks. Each brick has the name and job of one of the dam's builders carved into it.
Visiting the Dam
The William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center at Mount Morris Dam opened in 1999. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built it for the thousands of people who visit the dam each year.
This visitor center is about 5,400 square feet in size. It has a large open area called an atrium, a museum with exhibits, a theater, and public restrooms. It's a great place to learn more about the dam and its history.
Dam Facts and Figures
Here are some interesting facts about the Mount Morris Dam:
General Information
- The dam is about 67 miles (108 km) from where the Genesee River flows into another body of water.
- The area of land that drains water into the river above the dam is about 1,075 sq mi (2,780 km2).
- The area of land that drains water into the river below the dam is about 1,391 sq mi (3,600 km2).
Dam Structure Details
- Type: It is a concrete gravity dam, meaning it uses its own weight to hold back the water.
- Total Length: The dam is 1,028 ft (313 m) long.
- Top Width: At its widest point on top, it is 20 ft (6.1 m) wide.
- Maximum Height: From the river bed, it stands 230 ft (70 m) tall.
- Top Elevation: The very top of the dam is 790 ft (240 m) above sea level.
Spillway Information
- Total Length: The spillway, which is where excess water can flow over, is 550 ft (170 m) long.
- Crest Elevation: The top edge of the spillway is 760 ft (230 m) above sea level.
Reservoir Details
- Length: At its maximum flood control level, the reservoir stretches for 17 miles (27 km) along the river.
- Water Surface Elevation: At its highest flood control level, the water surface is 760 ft (230 m) above sea level.
- Storage Volume: The reservoir can hold about 301,853 acre-feet (372,330,000 m3) of water at its maximum flood control level.
Outlet Works
- Type: These are rectangular tunnels or pipes.
- Location: They are located at the very bottom of the spillway.
