The Mount Morris Dam, built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, continues to serve as a critical safeguard against flooding in western New York, preventing an estimated $170 million in flood damages in 2024.
Located on the Genesee River, at the northern end of Letchworth State Park and just south of Rochester, the dam plays a vital role in flood risk management for communities downstream, protecting over 160,000 residents in the Genesee River 100-Year Flood Plain and more than 200,000 in Rochester. By controlling water flow, the dam helps reduce the risk of severe flooding events that could cause extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Since its completion, the Mount Morris Dam has prevented an estimated $4.5 billion in total flood damages. The dam is designed to hold back floodwaters only when necessary, as the Genesee River Protection Act of 1989 ensures the river normally flows freely through the structure. During heavy rainfall events, water is retained behind the dam with a storage capacity of 300,000 acre-feet, filling Letchworth Canyon before being released at a controlled rate to prevent downstream flooding.
The majority of the $170 million in flood risk prevention benefits for 2024 were realized in the Rochester metropolitan area, as much of the Genesee River basin is agriculture and homes along the river. These savings include avoided damage to property and structures, reduced emergency response costs and lower disaster recovery expenses.
Before the dam’s construction, severe flooding occurred on average every seven years between 1865 and 1950, causing widespread destruction in the Genesee River Valley and in Rochester. One of the most devastating floods occurred in 1865, when river flows exceeded 24 million gallons per minute.
Early flood control measures such as retaining walls and river channel deepening projects, proved ineffective against major flood events, which is why building the Mount Morris Dam was necessary.
The Mount Morris Dam Recreation Area which includes the William B. Hoyt II Visitor Center, is a great place to learn more about the Mount Morris Dam and the Army Corps of Engineers. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is also a popular destination for visitors to observe local plants and wildlife while enjoying the recreation area’s trails and picnic areas. The outdoor recreation area is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Visit Center opens in May and ranger-guided walking tours are offered daily May through October.
For more information visit: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Submit-ArticleCS/Recreation/Article/3613898/mount-morris-dam/.
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