Croton Falls Dam dam
Croton Falls Dam
Croton Falls Dam, located in Croton Falls, New York, is a masonry dam completed in 1910 primarily used for water supply purposes. With a dam height of 113 feet and a length of 1070 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 49,760 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 43,500 acre-feet. Situated on the West Branch Croton River, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 16,500 cubic feet per second.
The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is considered to have a very high risk rating, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management measures. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for water management in the area, reflecting the enduring importance of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
As a key component of the local government's water supply infrastructure, Croton Falls Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to safeguard and manage water resources in Putnam County, New York. With its controlled spillway and high-risk potential, the dam highlights the critical role of infrastructure in adapting to climate challenges and ensuring water security for communities. Through consistent monitoring and maintenance, the dam remains a reliable resource for water supply while also serving as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources, climate resilience, and infrastructure management in the region.
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 Croton Falls Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| Titicus River At Purdys Station Ny | 14 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River At Brewster Ny | 45 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Carmel Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River At Baldwin Place Ny | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Croton Falls Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Kenosia
- Danbury Boat Launch
- Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove)
- Old Bogus Road 4, New Fairfield
- Squantz Pond
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
Campgrounds
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Clarence Fahnestock State Park
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Youth Camp I
- Youth Camp Ii
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
Track Croton Falls 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 Croton Falls Dam
Where does the data for Croton Falls 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 High 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 Croton Falls Dam.