Gorton Pond Dam dam
Gorton Pond Dam
Gorton Pond Dam, located in Elpis, New York, on Gorton Brook, serves as a vital recreational site since its completion in 1915. As a privately owned earth dam with a height of 9 feet and a length of 150 feet, it provides storage of 60 acre-feet of water for various recreational activities. The dam's spillway is controlled with a width of 3 feet, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential and not currently assessed for its condition, Gorton Pond Dam is under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's location in Oneida County, New York, and its proximity to the Buffalo District underscore its significance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its risk assessment as very high, stakeholders are encouraged to prioritize risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
In light of its historical significance and potential risks associated with its operation, Gorton Pond Dam stands as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As efforts continue to enhance its safety and sustainability, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive management and monitoring of critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Gorton Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Scriba Creek Near Constantia Ny | 63 cfs | → |
| East Branch Fish Creek At Taberg Ny | 499 cfs | → |
| Oneida Creek At Oneida Ny | 50 cfs | → |
| Chittenango Creek Near Chittenango Ny | 88 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 851 cfs | → |
| Oneida River Near Euclid Ny | 2,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gorton Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Oneida Lake
- Boat Launch Access Town Of Cicero
- Kinne Road 6895, Town Of Dewitt
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
- Oneida River
Campgrounds
- Verona Beach State Park
- Oneida Shores County Park
- Pine Woods Camping Area
- Rolling Hills Camping Area
- Green Lakes State Park
- Delta Lake State Park
Track Gorton Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Gorton Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gorton Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Gorton Pond Dam.