About the Project

Mount Morris Dam is located in the town of Mount Morris, New York next to Letchworth State Park. It is situated deep in the gorge of the Genesee River about 67 miles upstream of the city of Rochester. The project was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1944, and constructed from 1948 to 1952 at a cost of $25 million. The Dam provides flood protection to farmlands, residential areas and industrial and commercial developments in the lower Genesee River valley to Lake Ontario, including the Rochester Metropolitan Area.

Records show that severe floods had plagued the valley as far back as 1800. Terrible destruction resulted from the flood of 1865, which developed flows exceeding 24 million gallons per minute, one half the flow of Niagara Falls. From 1865 to 1950, a major flood ravaged the Genesee River Valley on an average of every seven years. Completion of the project significantly reduced the risk of flood disaster which formerly threatened the lower Genesee River valley. The capacity of the reservoir in the river gorge, 301,853 acre-feet, is ample to protect the basin below from all but very infrequent floods.

Between June 15 and November 1, a reservoir elevation of 600 feet, known as the conservation pool, may be maintained to enhance the scenic beauty of Letchworth State Park. At other times, run-of-the-river levels prevail in the gorge. When river flows exceed the natural capacity of the downstream channel, flood waters are stored. As soon as downstream conditions permit, the stored water is released gradually through the nine conduits at the base of the spillway sections. About 30 days would be required to empty a full reservoir at a rate that would safely avoid damage to downstream properties.

In its first 50 years of operation the project has prevented damages estimated at over $1 billion. During Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972, $210 million in damages alone were prevented, primarily in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. At that time, the inflows exceeded the storage capacity of the reservoir and it was necessary to release water through the gates of the dam, causing minor downstream flooding. These releases were made to prevent overtopping of the spillway. Had the spillway overtopped, accumulated debris in the reservoir would have passed downstream, causing log jams and additional damages. An inflow of the magnitude of Tropical Storm Agnes is expected to occur on an average of every 300 years.

Commemorative Kiosk

June 2002 commemorated the 50th anniversary of the completion of Mount Morris Dam. A celebration and dedication of the commemorative kiosk was held to honor and recognize the men and women employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District and Mount Morris Dam Builders, 1948-1952. The kiosk rests on a foundation of bricks, each of which is inscribed with the name and occupation of the builders.

Visitor Center

The William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center at Mount Morris Dam, opened by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1999, was built to accommodate the thousands of people who visit the dam each year. This 5,400-square foot center features a large atrium, museum, theater and public restroom facilities, and provides a relaxing, educational experience to visitors.

Exhibits and a short video convey information to the public regarding the history, purpose, operation and benefits of Mount Morris Dam. Other displays emphasize the Dam’s natural, recreational, archaeological and cultural resources, as well as the missions and responsibilities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Facilities at the Visitor Center may be reserved for meetings and activities.

Admission and use of the Visitor Center is free, and it is accessible to the disabled.

What's Happening at The Dam - Calendar of Events

Project Facts

Real-time Genesee River data may be obtained at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc

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Directions:

From the north:

(Interstate 90) take 390S to exit 7 - Mount Morris/Letchworth, 5 miles south on Route 408.

From the south:

(Route 17, I-86) take 390N to exit 6 - Sonyea, 7 miles north on Route 36, then two miles south on Route 408.

Distance to Dam in Miles Rochester, NY................ 35 Binghamton, NY..........138 Buffalo, NY.....................75 Williamsport, PA ........ 144 Elmira, NY......................81 Cleveland, OH ............200 Syracuse, NY............... 111 Pittsburgh, PA ............ 300